Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1: Table of contents and timeline of events

-A linked TOC of the pieces in this work, and a timeline of the events surrounding Sachiko's Curse reveal, the aftermath, and her eventual acceptance, to be filled in as I go. 

-Note: the timeline contains spoilers.

Chapter 2: Sachiko's Curse reveal

-Twenty-fours years have passed since graduation, and Tohru and Kyo's daughter Sachiko is preparing to enter middle school. She's not a child anymore, and she's ready to know what Kyo has been hiding from her. But no amount of perceived maturity can prepare her for the truth of the Zodiac Curse, or the pain that truth will cause.

-Originally published as chapter five ("How Could You?") in "It Doesn't Seem Real."

Chapter 3: The immediate aftermath of Sachiko's Curse reveal, from Kyo's perspective

-A follow-up to the previous chapter: Kyo's perspective during Sachiko's rampage.

-Originally published as chapter six ("So Stupid") in "It Doesn't Seem Real."

Chapter 4: I'm (not) ok (Haru and Rin, March, the day Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Sachiko's words were never going to be easy for anyone to hear, for a myriad of reasons. And processing those words...it will take time. How much time?

Chapter 5: What happened? (Momiji, Mina, Hiro, March, the day Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-For over twenty years, Momiji has lived with his heart in two countries. It hasn't always been easy, managing with loved ones over half a world away, but he's always made it work. Something is happening in Tokyo, and Momiji doesn't quite know what. But the details are coming, he knows; he's always been an excellent manager, and a good manager knows when to trust his people to deliver.

Chapter 6: Will You Tell Me? (Yuki and Mutsuki, March, evening of the day Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Twenty-five years in the past, the Zodiac Curse ended. Since that day, all of them have done their best to move forward; to move on from their pasts, to move on from their trauma. To make new lives, filled with happiness, joy, and love. Yuki has been no exception. But in the span of one afternoon, he has been forced to confront not just his distant past in the form of Kyo's distraught daughter, but his recent one, in the shape of his son. The full story of the Cat had never been Yuki's to tell...not until today.

Chapter 7: Messy (Kyo, Tohru, Sachiko, Hajime, Katsuro, March, the day after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Kyo had once resisted telling his children about the Curse, because he feared that knowledge, and what they did with it, could hurt them. It turns out he was right to be afraid. Scared animals of all types lash out, and he knew that. He just never expected anyone would ever lash out at Tohru.

Chapter 8: Blind (Tohru, March, the day after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Reaching out her hand to Akito had never been a question. Tohru knew the pain of loneliness, she knew the pain of loss. She knew the terror of having the safe and familiar ripped away. But no action is ever without consequence. How had she been so blind?

Chapter 9: But you wanted to, right? (Katsuro and Hajime, March, the day after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-This was supposed to have been a happy family visit before Katsuro's sister lobbed a grenade into it. Now, Katsuro doesn't know where to begin processing his feelings; he just knows he doesn't want to add to his family's struggles.

Chapter 10: In company (Sachiko and Kazuma, March, the day after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Her father is angry with her. Her brothers are angry with her. Her mother, she doesn't want to see. Sachiko knew her actions would have consequences, and she thought she was ready to face them. But as it turns out, it's hard to be brave when you feel so very alone. Apparently it's asking too much, for anyone to understand her side.

Chapter 11: Natural (Kyo and Yuki, Late March, two days after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-For years, they had been enemies. Enemies, they had thought they'd remain. But in the years that have passed, Kyo and Yuki's relationship could could barely have changed more. The last couple days have been long, and both of them are tired. But they're not too tired to try and clear the air.

Chapter 12: Not your responsibility (Hajime and Mutsuki, March, a few days after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Hajime has always been the stereotypical oldest child, carrying the weight of familial responsibility even when he doesn't need to. Even from a distance, old habits can be hard to break, but Mutsuki is always ready to help him try.

-Originally published as chapter sixteen ("Not your responsibility") in "Precious Little Moments Near the End of Time."

Chapter 13: More painful than you could imagine (Mutsuki, March, three days after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-When Mutsuki was twelve, Yuki sat him down and told him a story, one almost too fanciful to believe. When he was eighteen, Yuki told him the rest. Some things, even Mutsuki can't process with a smile.

Chapter 14: Their choice (Saki, late March, three days after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Something has been happening with the Kyo and Tohru Sohmas, though Saki has no idea what it is. But she's made sure they know that she's available if they need her; the door is open, if they want to walk through.

Chapter 15: I don't know what to do (Tohru, March, three days after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Tohru knew that parenting would have its challenges, and that there would be times when she would struggle. But she never expected them to be like this. Sometimes, even parents need a little extra support from their moms.

Chapter 16: Is that what you want me to say? (Rin and Kyo, March, three days after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Rin has never been good at holding back. Kyo has never appreciated being pushed. The two of them have always been too alike for their own good...especially when it comes to protecting those they love.

Chapter 17: Discipline (Kyo and the dojo staff, March, four days after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Actions will always have consequences, as Sachiko should know. And Kyo won't back down until she apologizes...no matter how much he hates it.

Chapter 18: Nothing to be ashamed of (Momiji, Katsuro, Kyo, April, just over a week after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-All his life, there have been things that Katsuro's accepted. Things like being slow, and clumsy, and awkward; things like not being clever, things like not being curious. He has his own gifts, and he knows that; the rest of it doesn't matter. But in the wake of Sachiko's anger, Katsuro can't help but compare himself to his sister: her feelings to his, her curiosity to his. It's time to start asking questions, no matter how scared he might be of the answers.

Chapter 19: Who were they? (Katsuro and Kyo, April, just over a week after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-One Curse. Fourteen souls. Katsuro had never before been curious...but things are different, now.

Chapter 20: Doubt (Sachiko, April, almost two weeks after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Sachiko was ready and willing to face the world's disappointment; it would have been worth almost anything to stand up for her father. She didn't truly realize she'd disappointed him, too.

Chapter 21: That was all (Tohru, April, three weeks after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-There is nothing Tohru wants more than family harmony; never before has that simple wish seemed so beyond her reach.

Chapter 22: Asking and asking again (Kyo, April, three weeks after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Ever since Kyo's family got home from Tokyo, nothing about the atmosphere around them has felt right. But while Kyo expected some things would feel strange other things have surprised him, starting with the way that certain things don't feel strange at all.

Chapter 23: I don't like this (Riku and Sora, April, just over three weeks after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Rin keeps insisting that she is totally fine. If she thinks her kids believe that, she's got another thing coming.

Chapter 24: Don't feel sorry for me (Rin, April, one month after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-People keep asking if Rin is ok, she keeps saying she's fine. There is no reason for Rin herself to be anything but fine.

Chapter 25: Whatever way you can (Rin and Kazuma, April, one month after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Growing up, there was almost no one Rin could trust. As an adult, trust is still something hard for her to feel, but Kazuma has always been an exception to that rule.

Chapter 26: So much for that (Hajime, Katsuro, Sachiko, May, five weeks after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Some wounds inevitably take time to heal, but Tohru and Kyo's family is trying. Hajime and Katsuro are doing their best to honor their parents' wishes, to step back and let them handle things; it isn't always easy, but they don't want to make things harder for Tohru, Kyo, or anyone. Too bad Sachiko's not entirely on the same page.

Chapter 27: You're better than this (Mutsuki and Sachiko, May, two months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Getting engaged had been beautiful; the aftermath, not so much. A shadow has hung over Hajime ever since he got home from Hibe that Mutsuki doesn't understand, and Hajime won't explain a thing. Fine. Mutsuki's always been resourceful, and he will figure it out.

Chapter 28: I dunno if I can (Kazuma and Sachiko, May, two months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Acknowledging when you've done something wrong can be impossibly hard, but that acknowledgement is only the first step. Changing old habits is difficult, even with support; Kazuma is trying his best, but it's not enough.

Chapter 29: I don't want to (Rin and Haru, May, two months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-One thing has been constant throughout most of Rin's life: she can count on Haru to help her walk through any darkness, including the ones inside her own mind. Maybe especially the ones inside her own mind.

Chapter 30: You can talk to us (Sachiko and Takashi, Late May, two months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Sachiko is starting to feel more and more like she's drowning; like she's ruined everything that was good in her life. She's tried her best to keep her despair from seeping into the dojo, but it's hard to hide things from friends you've known your entire life.

Chapter 31: Could run, but won't (Rin, late May, two months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Since the day that Sachiko showed up at her apartment, long-buried dark memories keep bubbling up in Rin's mind. In a perfect world, Rin would crush that darkness back down, but the world they live in has never been perfect. Rin is tired, hurting, and angry. But at least now she can set the record straight.

Chapter 32: The strongest person (Sachiko and Tohru, June, two and a half months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-It's never an easy thing, reassessing your worldview. It becomes even harder when you've held it all your life. But sometimes, difficult things are necessary. And sometimes, difficult things are worth it.

Chapter 33: More than a token symbol (Tohru and Sachiko, June, three months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-After years of rejecting Tohru and any chance of a real connection, Sachiko has finally reached out a hand to her mother. Tohru couldn't be prouder of how far her daughter has come, but she knows Sachiko still a long way to go before she's done making amends. Tohru is confident that Sachiko can do it, but perhaps a little reminder of what she's fighting for will help.

Chapter 34: Does it feel 'normal' to you? (Katsuro and Kyo, July, three and a half months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Katsuro has always done his best to mind his own business, and to respect his parents' wishes in every way he can. But even though he's always honored Tohru's desire for silence, he could never, and will never, bald-facedly lie to his father.

Chapter 35: I'm sorry, but I can't (Hajime, Sachiko, Tohru, and Kyo, August, five month after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Late August has rolled around again, and with it, the annual Hibe summer festival. Hajime is happy to be back at his parents' house, but there is one person he could have done without seeing. He's not an unreasonable man and doesn't think he ever has been, but some injuries take more effort than a simple 'I'm sorry' to heal. 

Chapter 36: Taking ownership (Sachiko and Hajime, August, five months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Harsh words, once spoken, can never be taken back. Sometimes, you can explain; sometimes, you can't. All you can do is stand up, take ownership, apologize...and hope for the best.

Chapter 37: How could she? (Tohru, Kyo, Kazuma, August, five months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Accepting you were wrong is hard. Admitting you were wrong about someone you love can be even harder. Dealing with the guilt will never be easy.

Chapter 38: More alike than you might realize (Kazuma, August, five months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Sachiko isn't the only one who's struggled with her temper, and neither is Kyo. In their struggles, Kazuma has always seen his own, and tried to help them get better. But even his best efforts haven't fixed things all for everyone. And tonight, Kazuma is acutely aware of just how much he's failed.

Chapter 39: Think about it (Hajime and Mutsuki, August, five months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Hajime wanted an apology, and he got an apology. It turns out that getting it wasn't the hard part.

Chapter 40: Something, at least (Katsuro, August, five months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Katsuro has always hated conflict, even when he isn't directly involved. And conflicts like this one, where it feels like everyone he loves are hurting, are the absolute worst. There isn't much he can do just now, anymore than there was then. But he, at least, can do something.

Chapter 41: Unbelievable (Tohru and Sachiko, August, five months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-All Tohru wants is to try to understand.

Chapter 42: Possible (Kyo, Hajime, recurring OC Sensei Kenichi Matsuda, August, five months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Sometimes, when something is bothering you, talking it through can help.

Chapter 43: You delivered (Hajime and Sachiko, August, five months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Words without intention can still sound good, but are ultimately meaningless. Sachiko's first 'I'm sorry' meant nothing; her second, a great deal more. Now, it's Hajime's turn to put his feelings out there.

Chapter 44: You really mean it (Sachiko and Katsuro, September, almost six months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-When something happens for long enough, it eventually starts to feel 'normal.' But Sachiko is done with a 'normal' causing pain. In some ways, it's getting easier, admitting when she screwed up. In others, each new apology almost feels worse.

Chapter 45: Just reply and say ok? (Sachiko, September, six months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Apologizing is never easy, but sometimes, it's necessary. Sachiko might not be ready to say it in person, but baby steps are better than nothing.

Chapter 46: As and when you're ready (Hiro and Kisa, September, six months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-For some, Sachiko's outburst led to feelings of guilt. For others, anger. Others still, despair. For Hiro, it was a little of all the above. And for he and Kisa both, there is also the fear.

Chapter 47: No way (Sachiko and Mina, December, nine months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Normally, Sachiko loves New Year's. It's a chance to go to Tokyo, a chance to see her family; a chance to see her dearest friend, Momiji's daughter Mina. But this year, things are different. She can't go back to the Sohma estate. She can't go to that house. But telling Mina she won't be at the banquet means telling Mina the rest, and there's no way she'll understand. After all, Momiji had it easy, so Mina could never relate.

Chapter 48: That is why (Sachiko, Mina, Momiji, Kyo, Momo, Tohru, New Year's Eve, nine months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Sachiko and Mina have always been friends, and they hate the idea of fighting. Their parents hate that idea, too, especially it it's due to them. Kyo and Momiji have talked, and both of them agree: it's time to make things clearer.

Chapter 49: We know (Hajime, Sora, and Riku, New Year's Eve, nine months after Sachiko learns about the Curse)

-Tohru and Kyo have never been good liars, a trait they share with their sons. In retrospect, Hajime wishes he'd skipped the banquet like his sister, and he's not the only one who wishes things had panned out differently.

Chronological Story Order

Before I realized chapters could be reordered, this was a chronological ordering of the story. At this point, it's a more spoilery/pithy version of the above Table of Contents.

*please note that events in some chapters are taking place simultaneously*

1. Chapter 2 (Sachiko's Curse reveal and the events leading up to it)
2. Chapter 3 (Kyo's perspective during Sachiko's rampage)
3. Chapter 4 (Haru and Rin in the aftermath of Sachiko's visit to their home)
4. Chapter 5 (Momiji learning about Sachiko's rampage from Germany while it's happening)
5. Chapter 6 (Yuki processing the situation the evening of Sachiko's rampage and talking to Mutsuki)
6. Chapter 7 (Kyo dealing with his family the day after the rampage when Sachiko blew up at Tohru)
7. Chapter 8 (Tohru goes for a walk and has a guilty meltdown)
8. Chapter 9 (Katsuro tries to process his feelings and Hajime tries to help)
9. Chapter 10 (Sachiko eating with Kazuma after the blowup with Tohru)
10. Chapter 11 (Yuki and Kyo talking after moving their sons)
11. Chapter 12 (Hajime and Mutsuki in their new home and Mutsuki talking Hajime down two days after Sachiko's rampage)
12. Chapter 13 (Mutsuki reflecting on what Yuki had told him about Kyo's Curse and Yuki's own past)
13. Chapter 14 (Saki reflecting on what she's been feeling and Katsuro visiting her)
14. Chapter 15 (Tohru visiting Kyoko's grave)
15. Chapter 16 (Rin comes to the dojo and yells at Kyo) - The end of the initial reveal arc
16. Chapter 17 (Kyo back at work after returning from Tokyo and Sachiko not allowed at the dojo until she apologizes)
17. Chapter 18 (Katsuro talking to Momiji and Kyo about Momiji's treatment of Kyo while Cursed)
18. Chapter 19 (Kyo telling Katsuro about the other Zodiac members)
19. Chapter 20 (Sachiko hits her breaking point with Kyo's coldness to her and starts to question if she'd truly done the right thing)
20. Chapter 21 (Tohru worries about Kyo and Sachiko's relationship and the tension in their home while trying to ignore her own feelings)
21. Chapter 22 (Kyo mulls over his family's dynamics while distant from Sachiko and worrying about Tohru)
22. Chapter 23 (Rin and Haru's kids worry about their mother and try to sort out what to do about her weird behavior)
23. Chapter 24 (Rin stresses about people worrying about her)
24. Chapter 25 (Rin goes to see Kazuma and ask about Tohru)
25. Chapter 26 (Hajime visiting his family for Golden Week and he and Sachiko fighting)
26. Chapter 27 (Mutsuki learning about Sachiko and Hajime's fight and confronting Sachiko)
27. Chapter 28 (Sachiko talking to Kazuma after her talk with Mutsuki and worrying that her temper is beyond fixing)
28. Chapter 29 (Rin talks to Haru about how Kazuma asked her to talk to Sachiko and how she doesn't want to because she's worried her anger will only make things worse)
29. Chapter 30 (Takashi talks to Sachiko at school to let her know her dojo friends are worried about her behavior and let her know she can always talk to them)
30. Chapter 31 (Rin reflects on the darkness in her past and her own mental state as she prepares to talk to Sachiko with Kazuma)
31. Chapter 32 (Sachiko apologizing to Tohru for all her prior behavior and the two of them reconciling
32. Chapter 33 (Tohru giving Sachiko her Cat pendant necklace)
33. Chapter 34 (Kyo asks Katsuro if the house's current dynamic feels 'normal' and admits he doesn't think it does himself)
34. Chapter 35 (Sachiko trying to apologize to Hajime the summer after her rampage and him rebuffing her) - The beginning of the Summer Festival arc
35. Chapter 36 (Sachiko apologizing to Hajime in front of the entire family)
36. Chapter 37 (Immediate aftermath of Sachiko's apology)
37. Chapter 38 (Right after Ch. 28; Kazuma's perspective)
38. Chapter 39 (Right after Ch. 28; Hajime's perspective)
39. Chapter 40 (Right after Ch. 28; Katsuro's perspective)
40. Chapter 41 (Right after the previous chapters, Tohru talking to Sachiko)
41. Chapter 42 (The day after Sachiko's apology, Hajime visiting the dojo and talking to Sensei and Kyo)
42. Chapter 43 (Hajime's talk with Sachiko and accepting her apology)
43. Chapter 44 (Sachiko apologizing to Katsuro)
44. Chapter 45 (Sachiko's letter of apology to her aunts and uncles)
45. Chapter 46 (Hiro and Kisa discussing Sachiko's apology)
46. Chapter 47 (Sachiko telling Mina she won't be at New Year's and revealing she learned about the Curse; Sachiko and Mina's disagreement over whose father had it worse) - The beginning of the New Year's arc
47. Chapter 48 (Momiji telling Sachiko about his past; Sachiko learning about memories being erased)
48. Chapter 49 (Sora and Riku cornering Hajime at the New Year's Banquet)

Timeline of events

(contains spoilers)

January, almost twenty-four years after graduation

• Sachiko overhears Kyo and Kazuma discussing her learning about the Curse, though she doesn't know what they're talking about. 

March, twenty-four years after graduation

• March 11th:
  • Sachiko turns twelve
• March 13th:
  • Sachiko reaches out to Hajime and lies to him about having met Kyo's biological father Katashi, learning more information about him and his encounters with her brothers, along with more information about Kyo's secret.
    
    
• One week later (Saturday):
  • Mutsuki graduates high school and the Hibe Sohmas go to Tokyo to celebrate and to help Hajime and Mutsuki move.
    
    
• The day after Mutsuki's graduation:
  • Kyo tells Sachiko about the Curse (aka: the Reveal)
  • Sachiko guesses the identities of some the former Zodiac members and has confrontations with Yuki, Haru and Rin, Kisa, and Akito about their treatment of Kyo while Cursed and challenges Tohru over her friendship with Akito. She finds out about Hiro and Rin while with Kisa and Haru respectively and guesses about Momiji, though she can't confirm due to him being out of the country. 
  • Yuki and Haru apologize to Kyo for their past indifference about his treatment while Cursed.
  • Hiro reaches out to Momiji, Haru, and Yuki to find out what all Sachiko said, having missed her conversation with Kisa and having been rebuffed by Kyo. 
  • Sachiko is grounded to her room at the dojo.
  • Yuki tells Mutsuki the full truth about the Cat's Curse and what it meant for Kyo, as well as the truth of his own past under the Curse.
    
    
• The day after The Reveal: 
  • Sachiko blows up at Tohru for her relationship with Akito and Kyo grounds her to her room at the dojo for the remainder of their time in Tokyo. 
  • Katsuro learns about Akito's role in the Zodiac and how she once treated them all. 
  • Tohru has a meltdown outside Shigure's old house.
  • Katsuro has a meltdown out in the dojo and is helped by Hajime. 
    
    
• Two days after The Reveal:
  
  • Tohru, Kyo, and Katsuro, along with Yuki and Machi, help Mutsuki and Hajime move into their new apartment together in Chiba while Sachiko stays back at the dojo with Kazuma.
  • Yuki tells Kyo Mutsuki knows of the Cat Curse, reveals some of his own past trauma at Akito's hands, and admits he used to view Tohru as a mother figure.
     
• Three days after The Reveal:
  • Tohru visits Kyoko's grave.
  • Katsuro goes to see Saki because he can't take the atmosphere at the dojo anymore.
  • Rin comes to the dojo and yells at Kyo. She figures out there is something wrong with Tohru, though she doesn't know what. 
  • Tohru, Kyo, Katsuro, and Sachiko return to Hibe.
  • The Kyoru households settles into a newly stilted dynamic, with Sachiko still angry with Tohru, Katsuro angry with Sachiko, Kyo upset with Sachiko, and Tohru desperately wanting them all to go back to normal.
  • Tohru stops taking phone calls from any of their Tokyo friends and resolves to stick with just text messages for a while until she regains her emotional control and trusts herself not to crack under all that she's feeling.
• Four days after The Reveal:
  • Kyo returns to the work, and Sachiko stays home because she won't apologize for swearing at Tohru.
  • Tohru tries, for what isn't the first time and won't be the last, for Kyo to 'go back to normal' with Sachiko, telling him he needs to let her manage her relationship with Sachiko on her own and not intervene. 
  • Kyo explains to Tohru that he's forgiven Sachiko and respects Tohru's wishes to let her handle things, but he's still disappointed in Sachiko and needs time to move forward.
    
    
• Six days after The Reveal:
  • Rin cancels her regular weekly dinner with her kids, claiming 'sickness' but actually just not feeling up to seeing them/not wanting them to see her while she's so upset.

April, twenty-four years after graduation

• Eight days after The Reveal:
  
  • The new school year starts; Sachiko starts middle school and Katsuro high school. Sachiko apologizes to Tohru for swearing and is allowed to return to the dojo.
    
    
• Two days later:
  • Katsuro learns the identities of the rest of the Zodiac and the various ways they helped Kyo. He also learns that Momiji used to be in love with Tohru. 
  • Tohru and Kyo tell Katsuro the full, detailed story of what happened when they got together, from 'I'm disappointed' through the Curse breaking, as well as the truth about Kyo's birth parents and his mother's death. 
    
    
• Two weeks after The Reveal:
  • Sachiko hits her breaking point with Kyo being distant and starts to question whether she'd truly acted for the best.
  • Sachiko starts addressing the question of temper with Kazuma, along with 'intentions' versus 'actions.'
  • Rin skips the second dinner with her kids in a row, prompting them to push back a little in concern.
    
    
• Three weeks after The Reveal:
  • Rin cancels a third consecutive dinner with her kids, prompting them to fight and the kids to attempt to turn up at home anyway only to find that Rin has locked them out. After talking to Haru, he apologizes and tells them he's handling the situation, but that they need to give their mother patience and space.
    
    
• One month after the reveal:
  • Rin, who has been struggling ever since the incident with Sachiko, goes to see Kazuma and share some of her concerns about Tohru, who hasn't been willing to talk on the phone since the incident.

Late April/Early May, twenty-four years after graduation

• The first day of Golden Week, approximately five weeks after The Reveal:
  • Machi breaks her leg badly enough to need surgery, cancelling Yuki and Machi's plans to join Tohru and Kyo for the Hirosaki cherry blossom festival and Mutsuki and Hajime's plans to tour Chiba so Mutsuki can go help his parents. 
  • Hajime and Mutsuki get engaged, and Hajime travels to Hibe to spend time with his family and share his good news.
    
    
• Later that week: 
  • Sachiko goes off on Hajime about wearing Kyo's beads. Hajime officially loses his temper with her and the two of them have a knock-down, drag-out fight, resulting in her telling Hajime he's a horrible son, would be a terrible father, and that it's a good thing he can't have kids, resulting in Hajime totally icing Sachiko out. Neither the two of them or Katsuro (who was also present), initially tell anyone else what happened.
  • That same day Hajime has a crisis of confidence in himself and whether he's truly being fair to Mutsuki in denying him the opportunity to have children, resulting in a severe panic attack and long heart-to hearts over the phone with Mutsuki, Yuki, and Machi as well as Tohru and Kyo as Hajime struggles to believe he's truly good for Mutsuki.

May, twenty-four years after graduation

• Immediately after Golden Week:
  • Hajime and Mutsuki return home to Chiba, where Mutsuki puts to bed permanently the idea that he'd ever want anyone other than Hajime.
    • Special note: not included in this collection but tangentially related, the chapter Learn to accept I've decided from my compilation 'Provocative Little Moments in Time' touches more on on Hajime's panic attack, Mutsuki's feelings during those events, and Hajime's return home afterwards. I did not include it in this collection for two reasons: one, I prefer to keep all chapters that involve any sexual content separate from the rest of the series, but also (and more importantly) because that chapter ultimately doesn't reference Sachiko or the events of this story. It is shown through Mutsuki's POV and while the trigger for what happens there was ultimately Sachiko, that chapter is about Hajime and Mutsuki's relationship.
      
      
• The next day: 
  • Mutsuki realizes Hajime is hiding something else that's upset him. Hajime assures Mutsuki it's not about them or their relationship and he needs to work through it on his own, he just needs time.
    
    
• Two weeks later:
  • Mutsuki is officially done waiting for Hajime to come around and reaches out to Tohru to find out if there's anything else he should know that happened during Golden Week. Based on her answer, he talks to Katsuro and convinces him to reveal the details of Hajime and Sachiko's fight.
  • Mutsuki tells Sachiko how upset and disappointed he is in her and that she can be a better person than she has been, encouraging her to stop thinking about things as black and white and to actually listen to what Kyo himself actually wants. 
    
    
• The next day:
  • Sachiko breaks down to Kazuma about the situation with Hajime and her conversation with Mutsuki, though she doesn't tell him what she actually said.
  • Kazuma reaches out to Rin and asks if she'd be willing to talk to Sachiko with him.
  • Rin tells Kazuma she needs to think about it and talks to Haru about her worries, specifically that she won't be able to manage her own anger and that her trying to talk to Sachiko will only be counterproductive.
    
    
• A week later:
  • Kazuma and Rin talk to Sachiko about her behavior and about Tohru. Sachiko learns about what happened when Tohru saw Kyo's True Form, and about Kazuma putting Tohru in danger. Sachiko also learns some of the abuse Rin suffered at the hands of the Sohmas and why Tohru is so valuable to her. Sachiko learns Tohru was stabbed by Akito. Rin challenges Sachiko to examine what it is about femininity and Tohru that she has a problem with. 

June, twenty-four years after graduation

• Two weeks after her talk with Kazuma and Rin:
  • Tohru and Sachiko have a serious heart to heart about Tohru's actions during the Curse, her relationship with Akito, and her relationships with the other Sohmas, and Sachiko asks for Tohru's forgiveness about not just her behavior since the Curse, but her behavior towards Tohru in general. 
  • Kyo is elated at the harmony between Tohru and Sachiko, but can't help but feel that their closeness feels atypical.
    
    
• Within the next week:
  • Sachiko extends an olive branch to her female friends, apologizing for what she's said about their feminine interests, and asks if they'd help her go clothes shopping.
  • Sachiko debuts a still-tomboyish-but-distinctly-more-feminine personal style.
    
    
• About two weeks later:
  • Tohru gives Sachiko a golden cat pendant to symbolize Sachiko's bond with both of her parents.

July, twenty-four years after graduation

• Roughly a month after Sachiko makes up with Tohru:
  • Kyo, now convinced that Tohru and Sachiko's close relationship is new, talks to Katsuro to confirm his suspicions: that Tohru and Sachiko were never close before.

August, twenty-four years after graduation

• Three days before the dojo exhibition/four days before the tournament:
  • Hajime, Mutsuki, and Kazuma arrive in Hibe to spend the week with their family.
  • Sachiko tries to apologize to Hajime and is rebuffed. 
    
    
• The following night:
  • Sachiko apologizes to Hajime in front of the entire family, revealing to Tohru, Kyo, and Kazuma specifically what she said to him during Golden Week.
    
    
• The next day:
  • Hajime goes to the dojo to visit and talk with his old master Kenichi Matsuda and ends up running into and having a talk with Kyo.
  • Hajime talks to Sachiko and tells her he accepts her apology. 
  • Meanwhile, Kyo talks to Sensei Kenichi about sibling dynamics, parental responsibility, and managing things when you feel you've screwed up as a parent. 
  • Hajime talks to Tohru and explains to her that he's genuinely ok, and working on becoming even better.
  • Hajime goes back to the dojo to talk to Kyo during his lunch break and tells him about his talks with Sachiko and Tohru both. The two of them also talk about how hard it can be to change opinions when you're confident you're right, and about how easy it is to blame yourself for what are ultimately other people's actions. Hajime reiterates to Kyo how much he's feels like Sachiko has grown in the past months, and asks Kyo to try to forgive her.
  • Back at home Hajime seeks out and talks to Kazuma, learning a large part of Kazuma's efforts to help Sachiko reevaluate her behavior and his role in Sachiko's changed perception of Tohru. Kazuma apologizes to Hajime for not doing a better job protecting him, and Hajime tells him he didn't need to, that Kazuma was already doing a lot for them all. The two of them discuss family, and what 'family' means when you're gay, with Hajime pointing out to Kazuma that Kazuma didn't really have family before Kyo and now has a lot, while Hajime, whatever else the future brings, already has a large family that loves him and can help support him going forward. 
  • Katsuro apologizes to Hajime for not doing anything to intervene with Sachiko and for telling Mutsuki about the fight without Hajime's permission. The boys have a heart-to-heart about the Curse and their initial impressions, their feelings about Sachiko's anger response, their own feelings initially towards Akito and the other former Zodiacs. Katsuro admits his recent guilt in not feeling more upset when he found out, and Hajime tells Katsuro the full story of how he figured out there was a Curse at all, as well as how he dealt with his anger, back when he found out. 
    
    
• That night:
  • Kyo, after reflecting on his talks with Sensei and Hajime, as well as his talk with Kazuma the night before, asks to talk to Sachiko and the two of them have a frank conversation about Sachiko's behavior up to that point, not just since she found out about the Curse but before: about their relationship, her relationship with Tohru and her brothers, and everything that pushed her to react to the Curse the way she did. Sachiko owns up to how much she struggled with wanting to be like Kyo and how much she's always admired him, and Kyo tells her about his own past idolization of Kazuma and how he, like Kazuma, is just a person, but one who'll always love her. Sachiko admits she's not ready to forgive all of the other former Zodiac yet, but she's truly trying to do better and be better, too. 

September, twenty-four years after graduation

• Two weeks after the dojo exhibition:
  • Sachiko apologizes to Katsuro for putting him in the middle during her fight with Hajime, and for how she's treated him for the past few years.
    
    
• Three days later:
  • Sachiko sends a formal letter of apology to Yuki, Haru, Kisa, and Hiro for how she acted in March, apologizing for her actions though not her feelings or motivation.

December, almost twenty-five years after graduation

• A week before New Year's:
  • Sachiko tells Mina she won't be at New Year's Eve and reveals she knows about the Curse, what happened when she found out, and her complex feelings towards the other former Zodiacs. Mina gets upset at Sachiko downplaying Momiji's experience, which Sachiko doesn't actually know about it.
    
    
• New Year's Eve:
  • Sachiko, Tohru and Kyo go to Momiji's house and meet with Momiji's family. Mina learns about the nature of the Cat Curse and what it meant for Kyo, while Sachiko learns about Momiji's past.
  • Sachiko skips the Sohma family New Year's banquet, along with Mina. 
  • The banquet is incredibly awkward for the Sohmas involved in Sachiko's rampage, a fact not lost on the children currently not in the know.

New Year's Eve, almost twenty-six years after graduation

• Sachiko skips the Sohma family New Year's banquet for the second time.