Puppet Strings

Chapter Seven

Tohru stared at the sandwich, her anxiety mounting. The sandwich, though seemingly benign, felt like a symbol of her failure. Her hands shook as she picked it up, her gaze locked on the food. She took a tentative bite, her face contorting with discomfort. As she chewed, her gag reflex kicked in, and she began to sob, the effort of eating causing her immense

distress.

Kyo watched with a heavy heart, feeling helpless as he saw her struggling. Every bite seemed to be a battle, and each sob was a painful reminder of the internal war she was fighting. Kyo wished he could take away her pain, but he knew that wasn't possible. All he

could do was be there for her, offering his unwavering support.

As Tohru continued to eat, she cried openly, her tears falling onto the plate. The sandwich, once whole, was gradually reduced to a mere remnant of what it had been. Kyo remained by her side, his expression a mixture of sadness and resolve. He understood that this was more than just about eating—it was about confronting her fears and insecurities.

When the half of the sandwich was finally gone, Tohru sat in front of him, her head resting in her hands, her shoulders shaking with the aftermath of her sobs. Kyo could see how exhausted and defeated she looked, and he knew that this wasn't what she truly wanted.

Kyo knelt in front of her, his eyes filled with deep concern and love. He gently cupped her face in his hands, his touch tender and soothing. "Tohru," he said softly, his voice quivering with emotion, "seeing you like this... it hurts me so much. I'm scared for you. It's terrifying

to watch someone I love so much hurt themselves."

Tohru looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. The raw vulnerability in her gaze broke Kyo's heart. "I'm scared too," she admitted, her voice trembling. "I don't know what scares me exactly... I just feel like I'm living in fear all the time. Every time the number on

the scale goes up, I feel like I'm the ugliest person in the world."

Kyo's heart ached at her words. The pain and self-loathing she expressed were deeply troubling, and he wished he could make it all go away. He held her gaze, his expression filled with a mixture of determination and love. "Tohru," he said firmly, "you are beautiful.

You always have been and always will be. The number on the scale doesn't change that. You are so much more than that number. You are kind, strong, and incredibly loved."

Tohru's tears continued to fall, but there was a flicker of hope in her eyes—a glimmer of belief in the words Kyo was speaking. Kyo wiped her tears gently with his thumbs, his heart

swelling with a mix of compassion and resolve.

"We're going to get through this," he said softly. "It's going to be tough, but I'm here for you every step of the way. We'll face it together. You don't have to do this alone."

Tohru nodded slowly, her breathing uneven as she tried to absorb his words. The road to recovery was still fraught with challenges, but Kyo's unwavering support and his heartfelt declaration of her worth provided a glimmer of hope. As they sat together at the table, Kyo's presence was a reassuring reminder that, even in the darkest moments, there was a path

forward—a path they would walk together, one step at a time.

A month had passed since Tohru and Kyo's last visit to Hatori's office. The days had been a grueling test of perseverance and commitment, with each moment of progress shadowed by the ongoing struggle against Tohru's inner demons. Despite the efforts and support from

Kyo, recovery was a slow and often painful process. Every day brought new challenges, and

every meal was a reminder of the internal battle Tohru faced.