Puppet Strings

Chapter Eleven

thinking about getting a piece."

His attempt at light conversation was meant to be comforting, but as he noticed the tears streaming down her face, his concern deepened. "Tohru, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice

edged with worry.

Tohru didn't respond verbally. Instead, she slid the cake off her lap and, with a choked sob, threw herself into Kyo's arms. The raw vulnerability of the moment was palpable, and Kyo

felt his heart break at the sight of her distress.

He held her close, offering what comfort he could as she sobbed uncontrollably. He could feel her tears soaking into his shirt, and the sound of her muffled cries was a piercing reminder of her suffering. After a few minutes, her sobs began to quiet, and she started to

regain some composure.

Kyo gently stroked her back, his own heart aching with every tremor of her body. "Tohru,

can you tell me what happened?" he asked softly.

Through her tears, she managed to speak. "The maid...she said I shouldn't be eating the cake. That I don't need any extra weight. It just made me feel...so awful."

Kyo's face flushed with anger as he absorbed her words. The thought of someone being so cruel, especially to someone he cared about deeply, was infuriating. "Stay here," he said firmly, his voice steady despite his rage. "Finish your piece of cake. What that woman said

isn't true. You deserve to enjoy it, and you're doing so well."

With that, Kyo stood up and walked back towards the party, his anger barely contained. The other guests noticed the intensity in his demeanor as he made his way through the room.

Kazuma was the first to approach him, a look of concern on his face.

"Kyo, what's wrong?" Kazuma asked, his voice filled with genuine worry.

Kyo, barely containing his frustration, ignored Kazuma's question and headed straight for

Akito, who was engaged in conversation with Shigure. The atmosphere around them

seemed to grow tense as Kyo approached, his anger palpable.

"Akito!" Kyo's voice cut through the conversation like a knife. "I need to talk to you."

Akito turned to face him, her expression shifting from curiosity to concern as she took in his fiery demeanor. "What's the matter?" she asked, her voice calm but inquisitive.

Kyo took a deep breath, his anger barely restrained. "Your maid—she told Tohru that she shouldn't be eating cake, that she doesn't need any extra weight. Control your damn maids!

This kind of comment destroys everything she's worked for!"

The room fell silent as Kyo's words hung in the air. The guests exchanged confused glances, feeling the weight of his emotion but not fully understanding the context. Akito, however, grasped the gravity of the situation. Her face grew stern as she processed Kyo's words.

Without a word, Akito stood up and walked out of the room, her mind racing with the urgency of the situation. She found Tohru sitting on the bench outside, her expression a mixture of sorrow and resignation. Kneeling in front of her, Akito's voice was soft but firm.

"Tohru," Akito said gently, "what that maid said is completely wrong. You are beautiful just

the way you are. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise."

Tohru looked up at Akito, her eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and gratitude. Akito's words were a comforting balm to her wounded spirit. Before Tohru could respond, Akito

stood up and turned towards the maid, her anger evident in her stride.

Kyo returned to Tohru, finding her sitting on the bench with a more composed demeanor.

He gently encouraged her to pick up the piece of cake and take another bite. "You're doing

great, Tohru," he said softly. "Just keep taking things one step at a time."

Tohru hesitated for a moment but then reached for the cake again. With trembling hands, she took another bite. The act was a small but significant victory, a testament to her resilience and the support she received. Kyo watched her with pride, his heart swelling with

admiration for her courage.

As Tohru continued to eat, her tears began to dry, replaced by a sense of quiet resolve. Kyo held her hand, offering silent support. The Sohma family, observing from a distance, could sense the importance of the moment but respected the private nature of the struggle

unfolding before them.

Tohru's piece of cake was now nearly finished, each bite representing a small triumph over her fears. Kyo's unwavering support and Akito's unexpected kindness had made a significant impact. For the first time in a while, Tohru felt a glimmer of hope, a sense of

progress in her ongoing journey of recovery.