After fleeing Shigure, I walked until my legs ached.
The Sohma estate wasn't just big it was endless. Bamboo groves melted into plum orchards, stone paths twisted into mossy clearings, and every turn looked like a page from the manga come alive.
"Ughhh," I groaned, flopping onto the grass beneath a ginkgo tree. "Demon, I forgot how huge this place is."
The late afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, warm on my skin. For a moment, I just breathed. No expectations. No invisible weight. Just… peace.
Today's weather is nice, I thought, closing my eyes.
Then it hit me.
"Wait… do I even have a phone?"
I patted my yukata pockets empty. No wallet. No cash. Not even a hair tie.
Panic fluttered in my chest. How am I gonna survive here?
I couldn't stay in the garden forever. I needed food. Shelter. A plan.
So I walked to the edge of the estate, where the trees gave way to a quiet road. And there nestled between a bookstore and a florist was the cutest little café I'd ever seen.
"Awwww, it's so cute!" I whispered, drawn to the pastel awning, the chalkboard menu, the warm glow in the windows.
Inside, the owner, a woman with kind eyes and flour on her apron, listened as I stammered about needing work. I didn't mention I had no ID, no references, no idea what I was doing. I just said, "I'll work hard. I promise."
She smiled. "We need someone for mornings. In two days, the new month begins then."
Relief washed over me. Two days. I need to survive two days.
But as I stepped back onto the road, reality crashed in.
No money. No friends. No place to sleep.
Hotels were out of the question. Even a bench felt too exposed.
"This sucks," I muttered, turning back toward the only place that felt even remotely safe: the Sohma garden.
---
By evening, I'd found a quiet spot on a grassy hill overlooking a lower clearing. The sky blushed pink and gold, and I lay back, watching clouds drift.
"What a busy day," I sighed. "Even inside this anime."
Then footsteps.
I froze. Peeking over the edge of the hill, my breath caught.
Tohru's tent.
Right there, pitched under the trees, just like in Volume 1.
WHAT?! WHAT A COINCIDENCE!
My heart hammered. Below, Shigure and Yuki approached the tent. Tohru popped out, beaming, and Shigure threw his head back, laughing at something she said.
Gosh, his laugh is so chaotic, I thought, pressing a hand to my mouth to stifle my own giggle. I can't -!
They chatted for a few minutes, then left, Tohru skipping slightly as she walked between them.
She's gonna get a new house~ I thought, smiling. Cuteeee.
I settled back, gazing up at the darkening sky. Stars began to twinkle brighter here than in the city, like someone had polished them just for tonight.
"They look so prettyyy," I sighed, letting myself fangirl for just a moment.
Then a rumble.
The ground beneath me shivered.
My eyes flew open.
Oh no.
Oh NO.
The cliff!
In the manga, this hillside collapses right onto Tohru's tent, where her mother's photo sits. I'd watched the scene six times, read it a dozen more.
How did I forget?!
I scrambled up, but it was too late.
The earth cracked.
I lunged for a tree root, then a rock, anything to slow my fall but the hillside gave way in a roar of dirt and grass. I tumbled down, arms flailing, skin scraping against stone, until I hit the ground with a thud that knocked the air from my lungs.
My ankle screamed. Blood trickled from scratches on my arms.
HOW CAN I BE SUCH AN IDIOT?! I screamed in my head. I've seen this a hundred times! How did I not -?!
I was so busy berating myself, I didn't hear them coming back.
"Tohru!" Shigure's voice, sharp with concern.
My head snapped up. They were rushing toward the tent right where I'd landed.
If any of them glanced even slightly to the side… they'd see me.
I tried to crawl behind a bush, but -
"Hey."
Shigure's voice, calm, close.
"Misaki? Is that you?"
I looked up. He was already crouching beside me, eyes scanning my scraped arms, my twisted ankle.
"H-hello?" I laughed nervously, cheeks burning.
Tohru and Yuki appeared behind him.
Yuki asked Who is she?
Oh, just my new friend~
Oh my god. His friend?? hehehe
Tohru's eyes were wide with worry. Yuki's expression was gentle, concerned.
I looked at them, omg They're even more beautiful in person, I thought, heart pounding.
Then Tohru dropped to her knees, grabbing my hand. "Are you okay?! You're hurt so much! What happened?!"
Her voice was pure, unfiltered, care no hesitation, no judgment. You matter.
OMG SHE CARES SO MUCH EVEN THOUGH I'M A STRANGER! my inner fangirl shrieked.
Shigure tilted his head. "Did you fall off?"
"Um… uh… kinda…"
Yuki's eyes widened. "That's a big fall. Did you get hurt?"
OMG HE REALLY IS A PRINCE JUST LIKE THEY SAY!
I was so starstruck, I forgot to answer.
Yuki blinked, then looked awkward. "Umm…"
"Oh IT'S NOTHING! I'M FINE!" I blurted, trying to stand.
My ankle buckled. I wobbled, arms flailing
Shigure's hand shot out, steadying me.
He crouched again, gently lifting the hem of my yukata to inspect my ankle. "You got yourself hurt a bit too much," he said, smiling that soft, knowing smile.
I looked down at him, heart in my throat. "Guess… yes."
Then, casually, like he offered shelter to strange girls every day:
"Why don't you come to our house then?"
My brain short-circuited.
"Ye -ye -" I stammered.
Then it hit me.
WAIT. WHAT?!
Behind Shigure, Yuki's eyebrows shot up. "What are you doing, Shigure?"
Tohru just beamed. "Oh! She can come with us? That's wonderful!"
I opened my mouth to protest, to thank them, to faint, but no words came.
Because in that moment, covered in dirt, bleeding, ankle throbbing…
I realized something.
I wasn't just in the story anymore.
I was part of it.
And for the first time since I'd slipped between worlds…
I didn't feel lost.
I felt found.