Puppet Strings

Chapter Two

A couple of days had passed since the unpleasant encounter at the dojo, but the woman's comment still echoed in Tohru's mind. She found herself fixated on the idea that she might have gained weight, a thought that gnawed at her incessantly. With Kyo at work and the

house to herself, she decided to take a closer look.

Standing in front of the full-length mirror in their bedroom, Tohru scrutinized her reflection. She turned from side to side, examining herself with a critical eye. It was true; she had gained some weight. Her clothes fit a bit tighter, and her once flat stomach had a slight curve to it. The realization hit her hard, and suddenly it was all she could think about.

Determined to do something about it, Tohru began to change the way she ate. She started by eating a little less at each meal, hoping it would make a difference. She skipped breakfast, had a small salad for lunch, and ate half portions at dinner. But as days turned into weeks, she found herself eating less and less, until she was hardly eating at all. She

pushed away the hunger pangs, telling herself it was for the best.

Kyo, busy with his work and the dojo, didn't seem to notice the change in her eating habits.

This made Tohru believe he was glad she was losing weight, reinforcing her resolve to continue. Her weight became an obsession, consuming her thoughts every waking moment.

Despite her efforts, Tohru wasn't losing weight as quickly as she wanted. The hunger she felt was painful and constant, but she refused to give in. She sipped water to quell the pangs, but it wasn't enough. Her lips became chapped, and she was constantly shivering

and shaking from the cold that seemed to seep into her bones.

One evening, Kyo came home to find Tohru sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, her face pale and drawn. He frowned, noticing the drastic change in her appearance. "Tohru, are

you feeling okay? You look really pale."

Tohru forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine, Kyo. Just a little tired."

Kyo sat down beside her, his concern evident. "Are you sure? You've been acting different

lately. If something's bothering you, you can tell me."

Tohru shook her head, guilt gnawing at her. She didn't want to worry him, especially when

he was so busy. "I'm really okay, Kyo. Just tired, that's all."

He nodded, though he didn't look convinced. He kissed her forehead gently. "Alright, but

promise me you'll take care of yourself."

"I promise," she whispered, though her resolve to continue her unhealthy habits remained

unbroken.

As the days dragged on, the hunger became unbearable. Tohru's body ached, and the constant cold made her shiver uncontrollably. She felt weak and lightheaded, but still, it

wasn't enough. She needed to lose more weight.

Tohru's friends began to notice the change in her. Arisa and Saki, exchanged worried glances every time they saw her. They tried to gently probe if something was wrong, but

Tohru brushed off their concerns with her usual cheerful demeanor. "I'm just a little

stressed, that's all," she would say, avoiding their eyes.

One afternoon, while Kyo was at the dojo and Tohru was alone at home, she found herself in front of the full-length mirror again. She lifted her shirt, revealing her ribs jutting out slightly, her skin pale and almost translucent. She touched her stomach, feeling the bones beneath her fingers, and a sense of despair washed over her. Why wasn't it enough? Why

couldn't she lose more weight?

Tohru's meals became smaller and smaller, often just a few bites of fruit or a handful of nuts. The hunger was relentless, a constant, gnawing pain that she tried to ignore. Her energy levels plummeted, and she found it hard to get through the day. Tasks that were once easy became insurmountable challenges. Even simple chores left her exhausted and

lightheaded.

Kyo noticed the changes, but he was so wrapped up in his work and the dojo that he didn't put the pieces together. He thought Tohru was just stressed or maybe coming down with something. He would ask if she was okay, and she would always assure him she was fine,

putting on a brave face.

One evening, after another meager dinner, Tohru found herself staring into the bathroom mirror, her reflection gaunt and hollow. She gripped the edge of the sink, her mind racing with desperation. The hunger was overwhelming, and she knew she couldn't keep this up

forever. Her eyes fell on the toilet, and a dark thought crossed her mind.

Maybe, she thought, if I make myself sick, I can erase the food I eat and lose the weight I

want.

The idea horrified her, but the desperation to shed the pounds was stronger. She felt trapped, unable to see a way out of the vicious cycle she had created for herself. As she stood there, trembling and torn, she realized how deep she had sunk into the darkness of

her own mind.

Her mind drifted to memories of her mother, who had always encouraged her to eat well and stay healthy. She remembered the warmth of her mother's hugs and the comfort of her words. Tohru felt a pang of guilt, knowing her mother would be heartbroken to see her like this. Yet the desire to be thin, to not feel judged by others, overpowered her better

judgment.

The days became a blur of hunger, fatigue, and obsessive thoughts about her weight.

Tohru's clothes hung loosely on her frame, and the sight of herself in the mirror only fueled her determination to lose more weight. Her skin lost its healthy glow, and dark circles formed under her eyes. She became a shadow of her former self, a prisoner to her own

mind.

Arisa and Saki's concern grew with each passing day. They noticed the drastic change in Tohru's appearance and behavior. One day, they cornered her after work, refusing to let her

brush them off again.

"Tohru, this has gone on long enough," Arisa said firmly, her eyes filled with worry. "We're

your friends. We can see you're not okay. You need help."

Tohru felt tears well up in her eyes, but she forced a smile. "I'm really fine, Arisa. It's just

been a tough few weeks."

Saki stepped forward, her voice gentle but unwavering. "We love you, Tohru. Please, let us

help you. This isn't something you have to go through alone."

Tohru's facade began to crumble. She wanted to confide in them, to tell them about the constant hunger, the obsession with her weight, the dark thoughts. But the fear of judgment

and the desire to appear strong kept her silent.

That night, after another meal she barely touched, Tohru found herself in front of the bathroom mirror once more. The hunger gnawed at her insides, and she felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. She knew she couldn't keep this up much longer. Her body was

screaming for nourishment, but her mind refused to listen.

As she stood there, trembling and weak, she contemplated the unthinkable once more. The thought terrified her, but she felt trapped in a cycle she couldn't break. She needed help, but she didn't know how to ask for it. Tears streamed down her face as she realized how far she

had fallen, and she wondered if she would ever be able to climb back out.