Fruits Basket - Fan Book (Neko)

Isuzu Soma

[What was wrong
What was the mistake
Was it wrong
For me to have be born?]

12shi - Horse

Box:
Private girls high school first year / third year*
Nickname / Rin
Because of abuse by her parents, Kagura's parents took her in and are fostering her. Being sickly, she doesn't attend school very much. She was seriously injured after being pushed (from the second floor) by Akito.
Name's Origin / From the name of the month (6th month - Isuzukure tsuki - Month of cool closings)

* The Neko FB says Isuzu is in first year HS. However, in manga Vol 14, there is a sketch of Haru comparing his height with Isuzu's and, in the comment below, it states that she is two years older than Haru. Also, in Ch 103, Kagura mentions that Isuzu ended up graduating from HS while still being hospitalised (and that she'd gone to pick up Isuzu's diploma) suggesting that she is in fact in third year.

Isuzu's family was the ideal, warm family. Her parents were kindly, and her family was always smiling warmly. However, that was like a castle in the sky. "Is it really fun?" that one question by young Isuzu caused everything to fall apart in an instant. Having put stress upon stress acting out the happy family, from that day, her parents started treating her very badly. That action was discovered and even after being taken in by Kagura's home, that trauma continues to gnaw at Isuzu health such that she's been in and out of the hospital.

Her joining with Hatsuharu earns her Akito's anger, resulting in her being seriously injured after being pushed out a window. That becomes the trigger for her search for a way to remove the 12shi's curse.

Personal Clothing Concept
Since she'd always worn cute clothes as a child, so a bit for that reason she now wears very showy clothes. It's an adherence to rejection. But now, her hair's been chopped off, and she's overcome one of her heart's hurdles so it feels like her tastes will change.

Isuzu's Lines:
"Someday, until the day that they'll forgive me; they'll forgive me won't they? We'll be able to go back (to the way we were) won't we?"

"Haru's a strange child; a kind child. It feels like I could come to love him. It could be that I've come to love him.

"But Haru wanted me. I, who was told that I wasn't wanted, that someone wanted me. I'm so happy... It's such a happy thing."

"I want to free him from all ties. Haru's true "happiness" is in a much wider world (place). Search for it. Find it. It's okay if I'm left with nothing in the end."

"It's too much. That sort of thing's too sad. Kind people being clung to, sought, leached on, by those like me. That's why I'll no longer involve them. Being alone is fine. I'll continue running on my own." (-> Tohru)

Words to Isuzu:
"Are you stupid? Or is that foolishness part of your plan" (Shigure)

"I want (you), Rin. Do you not want me? Do you not want to be together?" (Hatsuharu)

"That's why I hate girls. Cunning. That slithery, black hair too. ...It makes me sick." (Akito)

"...You're not wanted" (Akito)

"Even now, Haru loves you. He loves you so very much." (Yuki)

Keyword 1:
Yuki and Hatsuharu's Relationship

When they were young, Hatsuharu snuck in secretly numerous times, to play with Yuki who'd been locked up. Isuzu also came but she'd do nothing, sitting silently in a corner of the room.

Caption: They always left when Isuzu spoke. She'd been keeping watch for people's presences from the corner of the room.

Keyword 2:
Relationship with Kyo

Young Kyo felt like Isuzu would steal away Shishou and couldn't hide his enmity towards her. They'd glare at each other without moving for 5, even 10 minutes. It seems that sort of thing doesn't happen any more.

Even though they've grown up, they're relationship is still the same. According to Shishou, "It's not that they get along badly, they just don't get along well" apparently. Ahh, I...... see......?

Keyword 3:
Her first friend

Being sickly and thus often being absent from class, for Isuzu who'd always been distant from her classmates, Tohru was her first friend. She couldn't help being really happy but, being self-conscious, has a surly attitude.

Caption:
Her brusque way of speaking is unchanged even after becoming friends with Tohru. Tohru unthinkingly tries to hug Isuzu when she meets her When Isuzu's been temporarily released from the hospital but, she sidesteps and avoids her.

Keyword 4:
Eating in front of others

Isuzu, who isn't comfortable eating in front of others, is like a wild animal unaccustomed to people. Her being able to even explain why she didn't eat the jelly Tohru brought for her might be an indication of how much she's opened up. Also, Isuzu isn't very comfortable with sleeping. It may be that essentially, she has low strength to live and low will to live.

Caption:
It seems, Isuzu has a low desire for food and sleep. She also dislikes many foods.

Undesired child; Unwanted person

Caption:
Become sick, Isuzu faints. Delirious, the memories of the harsh treatment she endured as a child are brought back.

Caption:
Isuzu is unable to say anything back at her parents and so Hatsuharu explodes in anger in her stead.

[(They say) The don't want me
......I'm scared... Haru... I'm scared
I'm so scared I can't stand it]

When she was young, Isuzu was happy. Her parents also always looked happy and were with her. However, it was all an act. Her parents were always forcing themselves in portraying the happy household. The act ended from one comment by Isuzu. The household became violent and Isuzu's parents abandon her. However, Isuzu doesn't tell anyone about it and silently endured the violence. Isuzu, having constantly been verbally rejected by her parents, still thinks that she's an unwanted child.

Caption:
Isuzu is told "you're not wanted" by Akito. Those words overlap with what her mother had stated, and so she becomes convinced that "I'm an unwanted person"

Sohma Isuzu - Family Tree

Mother --- Father

Firstborn daughter: Isuzu

Parents who abandoned their child

[Because we don't know
how we should
love her]

Isuzu's mother
The hospital takes Isuzu into protective custody when her injuries are discovered. While she protected her parents, her mother verbally rejects her...... Her parents were unable to love a child possessed by one of the spirits. They tried and tried to to act the happy family for their daughter's sake, but when everything fell apart at that daughter's comment, it's possible that all the resentment was then brought down to bear on Isuzu.

Caption:
This one comment from her mother continues to hound and bother Isuzu.

Twisted Love

Caption:
Isuzu wishes to become Haru's heart. Hatsuharu laughs saying that "If that were the case, we couldn't kiss or do anything," but her possessiveness is such that even sleeping together could no longer satisfy it.

[It feels like this sort of "love"
Will someday end up
Smothering Haru.]

Only when she was with Haru could she forget the dark thoughts which had no exit. The time when Hatsuharu wanted Isuzu, she was truly happy but at the same time, was also afraid. When she's with Hatsuharu, Isuzu ends up gluing herself to him and wants his all. Even though she doesn't have that right. That sort of love would only become a burden for him......

Kind Person

Caption:
Kind people are unfortunate. Because they're clung to, leeched on, hurt, and utterly exhausted by those like herself.

[Wanting to rush out
Throw my body on that lap
And entrust my heart to her]

Even towards Tohru, ever since they first met, she felt the kindness that even Hatsuharu opened to. Despite being hit with the feelings of someone as weak as her, she's one who would take it and accept her. And so, Isuzu avoided Tohru, because she knew she'd want to cling to her if she was nearby.

Release From All Ties

Wanting to release Haru from all ties, Isuzu determines to find a way to release the curse. However, unable to find information, she tries sussing out what Shigure might know only to be discovered. Having tried so hard without relying on anyone, Isuzu's pained by not being able to do anything on her own.

Caption:
Tohru's also searching for a way to release the curse. When Isuzu learned that, she unthinkingly blurts out her true feelings.