You Don't Go To Parties

Chapter Five

Friday Morning the kitchen was filled with the smell of sizzling bacon and the soft clinking of cutlery as Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, and Shigure gathered around the breakfast table. Tohru was practically bouncing in her seat, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Kyo glanced over at her with a smirk, shaking his head. "Tohru, could you please sit still for just a second? You're making the table shake."

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Tohru said, trying to steady herself but her excitement still barely contained. "I'm just really looking forward to tonight!"

Yuki, observing with an amused expression, raised an eyebrow. "Tonight? What's happening tonight that has you so animated?"

Shigure, always eager for a bit of gossip or mischief, leaned in with a curious smile. "Yes, do tell. What's the big deal?"

Tohru's smile widened even further. "I'm just excited for tonight's activities!"

Kyo chuckled, clearly amused but also puzzled. "Arts and crafts? I don't get how that's so thrilling."

Tohru's face briefly showed confusion before she quickly masked it with a bright smile. "Oh, right, crafts! I'm just really looking forward to it."

Kyo's eyes narrowed slightly, sensing something amiss. He raised an eyebrow and fixed her with a curious look.

Tohru's heart raced. She forced herself to meet his gaze, hoping to maintain her composure. " Crafts. I can't wait!"

Yuki and Shigure exchanged glances but said nothing, though their expressions were tinged with amusement. Kyo, however, seemed unconvinced, which made Tohru feel increasingly anxious.

Yuki decided to probe a little further. "So, what kind of crafts are you planning on making?"

Tohru's mind went blank for a split second. She scrambled to come up with a believable answer. "Uh... Sock puppets!" she blurted out, her voice lacking its usual confidence.

Shigure burst into laughter, his eyes twinkling with mirth. "Sock puppets, huh? That sounds like fun!"

Yuki smiled, clearly amused by the answer.

Kyo's expression remained skeptical as he looked at Tohru, his gaze questioning. "Sock puppets? That's quite specific. Are you sure that's all you're doing?"

Tohru's cheeks flushed slightly under his intense scrutiny. She nodded vigorously, though her anxiety was palpable. "Yes, that's it. Sock puppets."

Eventually, Kyo shrugged and returned to his breakfast, though he continued to cast occasional, curious glances at Tohru. She let out a quiet sigh of relief, grateful that he seemed to have accepted her explanation for now.

The rest of breakfast passed in a blur of nervous anticipation for Tohru. She tried her best to focus on her food and the conversations around her, but her thoughts were preoccupied with the evening's plans.

As the morning wore on and the school day approached, Tohru's excitement mingled with a sense of dread about the long day ahead. She knew she'd have to maintain her cover and keep her excitement under wraps until she could finally enjoy the night she had been looking forward to.

The bell rang, signaling the start of the school day, and Tohru gathered her things, feeling a mix of relief and nervous anticipation. It was going to be a long day, but she was determined to make it through, knowing that tonight would be worth it.

Kyo's day had been fraught with confusion, and it seemed to be intensifying. Tohru's odd behavior had him on edge. During their walk to school, she had been unusually silent, only responding to direct questions from him or Yuki. Kyo couldn't help but feel a growing concern as he glanced at her from time to time, noticing how distracted she seemed.