Chapter Text
"Remember back when I'd be the one who'd just come up here to sit, and you'd be the one who came looking for me?"
Kyo's voice was affectionate and teasing, and Tohru couldn't help but smile as she turned towards the edge of the roof. Kyo was standing on the ladder looking over at her, and Tohru felt the same happy thrill at the sight of him that she always did.
How long, she wondered, before that thrill began to fade?
If she had her say, she hoped it never would.
"I guess you just made it look too nice up here," she replied, her eyes sparkling as she watched him vault from the ladder up onto the roof. Even though over eight months had passed since the Curse had broken, there were some ways that Kyo continued to remind her of a cat: his graceful movements were near the top of that list.
That was the kind of 'cat' behavior she could get behind.
Tohru had never seen him look unsteady on the roof, and it was no different tonight. Kyo walked straight over with as much confidence as if he was on level ground, and he settled down beside her with a smile.
"So'd you guys have a good time tonight?" he asked, and Tohru nodded, thinking happily about the time she'd spent out with Kisa.
"We did! We went to a movie, we got some dinner, we stopped and ate some cake together in the park-"
"-Not cake you just found in the park, I hope," Kyo teased, and she giggled as she gave him a shove.
"No, cake we bought! Or cake Kisa bought, anyway," Tohru said, making a little face. Kisa had insisted on treating Tohru that night, and though Tohru had tried to argue it wasn't necessary, Kisa had been shockingly stubborn and, in the end, Tohru had agreed.
Under duress, and with the promise that Kisa would let her return the favor...sometime.
But it had been a wonderful afternoon, overall. They two of them had met up after school and while they had done what Tohru said, mostly they had talked. Walked and talked, sat and talked, ate and talked...
Cried and talked.
Tohru's lip trembled slightly as she thought about it. Both she and Kisa had done their best to keep their time fun and lighthearted, to enjoy their time together and think and talk about fun things. The new season of Mogeta, the upcoming cherry blossom festivals, Kisa's impending first year of high school. They'd even, somewhat bravely, tried to talk about what fun things they should do together that summer when Kisa visited Hibe, Tohru and Kyo’s new village.
But it was impossible to stay upbeat and pretend everything was normal when both of them knew that in three days, Tohru would be graduating. And more importantly, just two days after that, she and Kyo would be moving, far away.
Tohru was happy, yes; that went without question. She was ecstatically, brilliantly, almost deliriously happy; happy, knowing that soon she and Kyo would be living together, just the two of them in a house that was solely theirs. A house where they'd start to make a life for themselves together; a life as a family, even a family of two.
A home where they'd be starting fresh, far away from the Curse and its baggage. Where nobody knew either of them and nobody had any preconceived notions about how they should behave.
Where Tohru didn't have to be ‘the girl who'd lost her parents,’ and Kyo could just be 'Kyo' without ever once having been 'the Cat.'
They had been planning their move together for months, ever since the day when they had stood in front of her parents' grave and Kyo had told Tohru about his future plans and asked her to go away with him. They had been officially dating for less than two weeks at that point, but both of them had been sure in how they'd handled the question: Kyo, that he wanted to ask it, and Tohru, in accepting it. It didn't matter how long a time they'd been 'official;' they had been meant for each other for longer than they had known, and neither of them wanted to waste any more time.
Over the following months, they'd done their research and made their plans. They'd learned about Hibe, the village in Aomori prefecture on the northern end of Honshu where Kyo's new dojo was located. Learned about Aomori prefecture in general, and what they could expect in terms of weather, culture, and life. About the area around Hibe, and the jobs that Tohru might get. Kyo had sorted out everything to do with his new job, including the salary, schedule, and expectations.
They'd found a house to rent, and signed the paperwork.
Getting the congratulatory email from their new landlord had been an exciting and terrifying moment for them both; the moment when all of a sudden, everything had felt real. Because Hibe was so very far from Tokyo and they were both still in school (and also pretty broke), neither one of them had even visited Hibe yet; Kyo's job offer had been made sight unseen, and all of their research was conducted over the internet or phone. In some ways, it had felt almost like doing a school project...
Then, all at once, they were ‘Sensei Sohma' and 'Ms. Honda,' new tenants set to move in two days after graduation.
They had an address. They could get mail.
That had been done in January. And as the next two months passed by, Tohru and Kyo had increasingly felt like they were in two different worlds. One foot was firmly planted in their 'high school' world, dealing with homework, exams, part time jobs, and hanging out with friends. The other foot was up north in Hibe: drawing up a budget, figuring out what things they needed to buy for the new house, making their travel plans, discussing how long they'd like to settle before Tohru found a job. Originally, the feet had felt evenly balanced, but with each passing day the 'Hibe' foot bore more weight.
It was hard to believe that it was really real sometimes; that they'd go from writing essays to discussing what kitchenware they needed versus what would just be really nice. That they'd go from working out calculus problems to discussing the relative pros and cons of beds versus futons, or figuring out just how many towels were right for two people.
In the beginning, having those practical household discussions had made them feel like they were little kids playing pretend. But after the newness had worn off, they'd gotten more serious; as excited as they were about their new home and their new life, neither of them had any delusions about what they could expect.
Kyo had been honest when he told Tohru their life wouldn't be that luxurious; although Kazuma had assured them that Kyo's salary was remarkably generous, especially considering the area and his youth and inexperience, it was hardly extravagant, especially for two people. Beyond that, there were numerous costs they had to cover either right when they moved or even before, and Kyo wouldn't start drawing a paycheck until he started to work.
Tohru and Kyo were fortunate in that they'd always had a similar mindset when it came to money: save it first and foremost, as much as possible. Long before Kyo came into Tohru's life, Tohru had known that she'd need to support herself, come graduation. Even before her mom had died, Tohru had known she'd need to work hard and start pulling her own weight; growing up as the child of a single mother, she knew all too well how expensive life could be. Thus, as she'd steadily worked her way through high school, she had saved every yen that she could.
Kyo had done the same, though from an admittedly different perspective and with no real eye for the future. Even as the Cat, he'd received money from the Sohmas, meant to cover his tuition, living expenses, and personal needs. He had always resented that money; as he saw it, it had always been blood money, money paid out by the Sohmas to 'justify' all they'd ever done and planned to someday do. He'd only used it as he had needed, keeping as much of it as he could untouched.
He never had, and never would, let them actually buy him.
But when the Curse had broken, Kyo saw that money in a new light. Now, it was recompense; money to go towards his future. And later that summer, when he'd started teaching part-time at the dojo, Kazuma had started paying him for his labor as well.
Tohru's savings, Kyo's savings, and their continued earnings from their part-time jobs had formed the base on which they'd started to sort out their first expenses and begin to make their plans. They wanted to keep as much money as they could for an emergency fund, but there would still be enough to buy the things they needed the most after they paid their deposits, bought their train tickets, and covered all non-negotiable moving expenses. Things might be tight for a while...but that was ok.
They would be fine.
That was the plan. That had been Tohru and Kyo’s full intention. But neither one of them had anticipated, when they'd started planning, just how determined the people who loved them would all be to help them.
It had started, appropriately enough, with Kazuma.
When they'd started discussing the stark realities of life on their own, it was only natural that Tohru and Kyo would turn to a trusted adult who had real world experience, and neither of them had thought twice about that adult being Kazuma. He was able to give them good advice on things to consider regarding their future house, necessary versus unnecessary expenses, and what to factor in when they were choosing where to live.
He also tried to give them money, to 'help cover some of the initial costs.' Moving was stressful enough, after all, and the last thing he wanted was for them to have anything extra to stress over.
They had refused, both of them. The gesture was kind, but they would manage everything on their own; if things were a little tight for a while, then they would just be tight.
Kazuma seemed to understand, and the subject lay fallow for nearly a month. Then mid-January rolled around, and it was time to make a decision on a rental house. Kazuma, as their cosigner, was naturally consulted, and he gave their choice his full support and agreement.
He also gave them something else: a bankbook.
Tohru and Kyo had been shell-shocked when they saw how much money it held. Kyo had immediately tried to return it, but Kazuma had firmly and repeatedly said that it belonged to Kyo: thirteen years' worth of financial recompense from the Sohma estate, payment to Kazuma for raising the Zodiac Cat.
Payment Kazuma had sworn he would never touch and never had, but had carefully and quietly built up over the years to give to Kyo.
In the end, after some determined back and forth, Kyo had finally agreed to take it. He didn't need or want any further handouts from the Sohmas; even holding the bankbook was enough to make his skin crawl. But he couldn't argue with Kazuma's point that someday it might come in handy, and emergencies were always a depressing possibility.
As he and Tohru had walked home from the dojo that night, Kyo had told her his feelings about the money and apologized. He knew he was being selfish, suddenly having so much money and not wanting to touch it when it could make their lives a whole lot easier.
But Tohru had understood, and she didn't judge him. As far as she was concerned, the money didn't matter. They would keep it as an emergency fund...a large emergency fund...but keep their plans, and budget, exactly as they were.
That was January. Then February rolled around, and Tohru, as she regularly did, went to visit her grandpa. When Kyo could, he would go with her, but he was working that day and Tohru had been alone with Grandpa when he’d dropped his own bombshell.
"So I suppose that you and your young man must have your moving plans almost fully fleshed out at this point, don't you, Tohru dear?" Grandpa had asked as they sat in his living room, drinking tea.
Tohru had smiled, and happily nodded her head. "That's right! We have our house, and our timeline. Most of the utilities will be handled by the landlord, but there are a few things we'll have to wait to do until we get to Hibe."
"How very exciting! Have you two figured out all what you'll need to buy for the house?"
"Some! We picked a small house, obviously," Tohru had said with a giggle, "but it's still bigger than we need to furnish all at once. We've been doing a lot of research lately, but since we're having everything shipped directly to Hibe, we're not going to be buying anything until closer to when we move."
Grandpa nodded. "That's very practical of you both, my dear. It sounds like you're both approaching this very sensibly."
Tohru beamed. "Thank you, Grandpa! We both want to make sure we're not overextending ourselves, especially not starting out. Right now, the plan is for Kyo to start at the dojo a week after we arrive, and I'll start looking for a job a little while later; that gives us both some time to get used to the area, but it also mean we'll need to be frugal starting out."
Grandpa had nodded again. "Well, it's a very smart thing to do. Young people just starting out on their own can be impulsive, but I suppose you never have been, have you?"
"No, not really," Tohru said with another smile. She'd had her moments of impulsivity, yes, but overall? No, she was hardly what anyone would ever describe as impulsive, especially when it came to spending money.
But after a moment, Grandpa had gotten up and walked over to a cabinet, reaching in and coming back with a white envelope.
"I was going to give you this at your graduation, Tohru dear," he had said, smiling as he sat down by her again. "But listening to your plans, I think it might come in handy sooner," he informed her, gently placing the envelope in her hands. "I know it's not much, but I hope it helps you and your young man get a few nice things for your new home."
Inside the envelope was a card from her grandfather, congratulating her on graduating high school. And Tohru's eyes had teared up as she’d read the message, where Grandpa told her how proud he was of her, and how proud her parents were, too.
How she'd worked so hard and overcome so much, and how she deserved every happiness life had to give her.
She didn't bother to look at or count the bills inside right then, instead setting the whole thing down and catching her grandpa in a big, teary-eyed hug that he returned.
"I know it's all true, Tohru dear," Grandpa had said, his own eyes a little misty. "Kyoko and Katsuya are both smiling on you, and they want you to be happy, too."
"Thank you, Grandpa; thank you so, so much."
Tohru hadn't looked at the money until she was back at home, when she was telling Kyo about the day's visit. But when they’d looked at the card together and actually counted it out, they were staggered to see Grandpa had given her one hundred and fifty thousand yen, which both of them agreed had to be a mistake.
But when she called Grandpa to tell him, he was politely firm.
'No, that's for you, Tohru. And I think you'll find, if you haven't already, that one hundred and fifty thousand yen doesn't go nearly as far as you'd think when setting up a house!'
In the end, they'd accepted it. Graduation presents were a thing, after all, and he was her grandfather and technically her legal guardian while she was a minor. It made sense that he'd give her something, to mark her graduation.
Just like it made sense that Kazuma gave Kyo something, too.
'I know you said you didn't want me to pay for anything, Kyo, but surely you can admit that parents are allowed to celebrate their children's achievements? Graduating high school is a very significant achievement, and I'd say it's one very worthy of celebrating.'
Kyo hadn't let Kazuma give him as much money as he'd first tried, but since Kazuma had expected that and purposely tried to give Kyo far too much money to start with, Kazuma was still satisfied with the results.
The rest of it...made significantly less sense.
Goodwill gestures, yes. Cards, yes. But the money?
Really?
"I know it's not much, but it would mean a great deal to me if you would accept it," Hatori had said to Tohru as he pressed an envelope into her hand.
"Dear Tohru, the very idea of letting an occasion as celebratory as your graduation, the doorway between your life of youthful innocence and your new awakening as a mature woman of the world with your beloved at your side, pass by without proper celebration and acknowledgement is too laughable for words!"
Neither of them had ever been any good at arguing with Ayame.
Shigure had actually been smirking that day in early March when he’d walked into the living room and gave Tohru an envelope.
"It occurs to me that we've had somewhat of an employer/employee relationship these past few years, Tohru, and now that the time is coming to part ways, I believe a little bonus is in order, don't you agree?"
She did not agree, especially not with the amount, but Shigure was completely unbothered.
"Surely you wouldn't be so cruel as to reject one of my last attempts to express my gratitude? If it wasn't for you, I would have been forced to pick up my own laundry for over two years!"
Other Sohmas gave them graduation money. The Hanajimas gave her graduation money. And in every case, the reasoning was the same: graduation was a big deal, it ought to be recognized, people were happy for them, they wanted to do this...and eventually, Tohru and Kyo just gave up fighting it.
As the balance in their bank account steadily ticked upwards, both of them shook their heads in amazement; by the time they were ready to actually start buying things for their house, they had enough money available to furnish it at least five times over, without factoring in the bankbook containing the Sohma money.
But even with the extra funds, they kept their purchases simple. There were a couple splurges, but overall, they stuck to their plan; there would be time enough, later on, to buy more things if they wished.
In the beginning, just having each other would be more than enough. And Tohru was truly excited to start living that life with Kyo. But much as she was looking forward to the future, it was still incredibly hard, saying 'goodbye' to the present.
There had been a lot of tears from Tohru already, and there were bound to be more before they boarded their train. And a part of Tohru admittedly hated that fact; she knew it was hard on Kyo to see her cry so much, knew that he was likely questioning himself constantly. He'd certainly asked her enough times if she was truly sure what she wanted; if Tohru had ever even remotely considered staying in Tokyo, he would have given her an out without batting an eye.
Plans could be changed. Nothing had to be permanent.
But every time, Tohru had sniffled, and wiped her eyes, and firmly shaken her head.
Saying 'goodbye' to their friends would be hard. Saying 'goodbye' to the places she loved would be difficult, too.
But that was ok. She would be fine. It would all be worth it.
All that mattered was that she got to stay by his side.
"Well, I'm glad you had a good time," Kyo informed Tohru, smiling as he gently pulled her into his lap, and Tohru smiled back and cuddled up against him.
"Did you and the guys have fun?" she asked, and Kyo grinned in response.
"Yeah, it was fun. It's been nice this last month, now everyone actually knows what they're gonna do after graduation. With university entrance exams over and results out, Hiroshi, Ryosuke, Katsuo, and Hayate can actually all breathe, and they've been actually able to do stuff again."
Tohru smiled, resting her head against his chest. "Are they all excited about university?"
Kyo chuckled. "A couple of 'em. Pretty sure Hayate's just going 'cause his parents are making him, and I'm still kinda amazed Hiroshi decided to go through with it."
"Did Ryosuke end up deciding to go to Sendai after all?"
"Nope. Weird as it feels, all of 'em are actually gonna be staying down here in the city, the guys working as well as ones heading to university. I guess Yusuke, Kuro, and Daisuke are gonna be looking for a place to all rent together, since they've all got jobs in the same area."
"Well, that should be handy for all of them!" Tohru said, beaming. "When we were younger, Hana-chan, Uo-chan and I had talked about the three of us maybe getting an apartment someday, after graduation when we were all working," she said, smiling fondly at the memory. "They both had it all completely figured out!"
"Yeah, I just bet they did," Kyo said, rolling his eyes, and Tohru giggled.
"It was sweet! They thought it would make the most sense with three of us if one of us just took care of the housekeeping, shopping, and cooking-"
"-Lemme guess, you?"
"Well, I like doing things like that," Tohru immediately protested. "Though you know I can work and take care of a house at the same time, I basically did it the whole time I lived here with school!"
"Yeah, I know," he said, hugging her. "But I meant what I said, Tohru, about when we move. You're not gonna be doing all the household stuff by yourself anymore."
Over the course of the past eight months, Kyo had slowly but steadily tried to make inroads on Tohru's previously solo household duties. And just as steadily, Tohru had pushed back; while she was happy to let Kyo cook with her or even instead of her sometimes and always appreciated help with the shopping, the rest of the household chores were her responsibility, period. That had been her arrangement with Shigure, she'd firmly told Kyo; her room and board, in exchange for taking care of the house.
In vain, Kyo had pointed out that Shigure wouldn't care who actually emptied the trash cans as long as they got emptied in a timely manner. But Tohru had been adamant and unwilling to back down; she'd kissed Kyo and told him how deeply she appreciated him wanting to help, but while they lived in Tokyo the household chores were her job.
If she also hoped to keep things that way after they moved, she didn't mention that too much around him. Kyo was sweet, and she was sure he actually meant to help out, but he was already going to be working hard to support them both. The least she could do was let him rest in a comfortable clean house when he came home from earning money to pay all the bills!
But that was a conversation they didn't need to rehash just then, so she simply smiled and continued with her story.
"So I was going to be in charge of the apartment, and they would both work, and we'd all go on regular trips together to all kinds of places-"
"-And basically just eat everything in sight?" asked Kyo with a grin, earning him another giggle from Tohru.
"There would probably be a food component," she admitted, and he smiled as he rested his cheek on her head.
"That'll be us too, someday," he assured her, his voice soft. "It might take a little while, but I'm gonna take you on some trips too."
"I know," she said, snuggling against him. "And it's ok, really, Kyo; we don't need to be taking any big vacations anytime soon. It's already going to be the biggest adventure imaginable, just moving up to our new home, together."
'Together' was a beautiful word, and it made them both smile.
"Yeah," he agreed softly, "it really, really is."