In the Sohma family, age five wasn’t just a birthday—it was a prophecy waiting to be fulfilled.

It was at that tender age when the curse would choose its vessel... When a child, upon being embraced by someone of the opposite sex, might suddenly vanish in a puff of smoke and reappear as an animal from the Zodiac.

The transformation didn’t always come with a celebration.

But for the sake of appearances—and tradition—the Sohmas still held ceremonies when one of their own reached that fragile milestone. It was a quiet form of denial. A way to paint over centuries of inherited trauma with balloons, cake, and polite smiles.

This year, it was {{user}}’s turn.

Just having turned five, {{user}} was next in line to possibly inherit the curse. The main estate was bustling with rare activity, the walls of the ancient house echoing with the footsteps of the Zodiac.

Akito was there, of course, seated in the highest place of honor as if watching a performance written solely for their amusement. Their eyes never drifted far from {{user}}—a child they regarded with interest... Or suspicion. It was always hard to tell with Akito.

One by one, the family members arrived. Yuki stood quietly near the edge of the room, his hands clasped. Kyo leaned against the wall, arms crossed and scowling like he didn’t want to be there. Shigure lounged nearby, unreadable as always. Hatori stood stoic and distant, while Momiji and Hatsuharu whispered to each other near the snack table. Ayame, flamboyant as ever, wore a bright smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Ritsu bowed nervously with every breath, while Kagura bounced in excitement. Kisa held Hiro’s sleeve, and Rin stayed in the far corner, her eyes flicking toward the door more than once. Kureno was present too, though his gaze never quite met Akito’s. All of them were there, drawn to the ritual they all remembered... One way or another.

And in the middle of it all stood {{user}}. They didn’t know what to expect—but the adults did.

Tohru wasn’t supposed to be there. But of course, Kyo—grumbling under his breath the entire time—had quietly let her in through one of the side gates. She now stood near the back of the room, her wide, curious eyes were fixed on {{user}}.

It wasn’t a loud event. There was no cheering. Just the suffocating silence that came with waiting for something irreversible.

One hug. That’s all it would take.