furuba

fruits basket

kureno

the rooster

relations

a twisted web

essays

in depth thoughts

exeunt

to freedom

That Damn Yankee

"And so I can't see her again."

Uotani Arisa is a former yankee gang member and one of Tohru's best friends. When Tohru moves in with Shigure, Yuki, and Kyo she becomes vaguely acquainted with the Sohma family and eventually becomes friends with the members in her class. She works several part time jobs to support herself and hangs out with Tohru during what little free time she has.

It's at one of these jobs that she encounters Kureno. During a late night at the convenience store she happens upon a rather naïve stranger who knocks over a display. As he panics she's immediately drawn to how he reminds her of Tohru and he is charmed by the way she laughs. Unlike Akito, Uo's laugh is honest and not cruel or mocking.

Despite their instant love at first sight sort of attraction after he paid he intended to never see her again. Uo on the other hand wanted to see him but was unsure how to find him in the large town they called home. It was only through fate that she found him on the street during her break at the cafe where she worked. The second time they met the attraction they felt for one another only grew.

It was this second meeting that convinced Kureno he should avoid Uo. Despite the attraction he felt for her he was bound to stay by Akito's side and was unwavering in his decision. Uo was bothered by his decision but didn't push to see him. She just figured that it was one more thing in her life that would go wrong.

Despite their decisions, they met a third time after both Tohru and Kureno were injured facing Akito. Uo was in the hospital visiting Tohru when Akito revealed that Kureno was there recovering from injuries as well. Uo met Kureno who admitted that he would have to leave home. She agreed to go with him after graduation without much thought and just like that they were dating.

While Uo and Kureno's relationship is well deserved after the sacrifices they both made for others, it is a bit inexplicable. Unlike many relationships in the series that grow over many chapters Uo and Kureno have a sort of love at first sight that evolves until they choose to move in together after only three meetings.