(Disclaimer: I don't own CCS.)
(AN: Nakuru is a girl here. The whole gang is in High School.)
The Bridge
By tikki de lune
Chapter 1: Popularity Known
Eriol Hiiragizawa walked along the corridor leading to classroom he was supposed to attend.
"Room 401, here it is," he glanced down the schedule the principal gave him. Eriol knocked on the door.
"It must be the new student," the teacher's voice said from the inside. "Please come in."
Eriol stepped in calmly as hushed whispers, mainly from the girls, arisen.
"Class, this is Hiiragizawa Eriol. He is from England and would be completing his four-year high school course here," the teacher stated. "Mr. Hiiragizawa, please acknowledge yourself."
"I'm Hiiragizawa Eriol and I'm pleased to meet all of you," he said in flawless Japanese. "I'm sure I wouldn't be having a hard time adjusting here."
He bowed. "Mr. Hiiragizawa, please take your seat behind Ms. Daidouji."
A girl with ebony locks raised her hand to identify herself. "Konnichiwa, Hiiragizawa-san. Watashi wa na mai wo Daidouji Tomoyo desu."
"Konnichiwa Daidouji-san."
The class continued as Eriol compiled notes passed to him. Soon, he'd known Takashi Yamazaki, Mihara Chiharu, Yanagisawa Naoko, Sasaki Rika, Kinomoto Sakura, and Li Syaoran.
After class, the people he knew immediately introduced themselves and welcomed him to the class. He noticed that the girl with ebony hair had disappeared.
He ate his lunch alone in an empty table in the cafeteria. He had politely refused to join Sakura's group, in order to get used to the place.
"May I join you, every where seems full," a kind voice asked. Eriol turned and saw Tomoyo standing with a tray.
"Of course," he gestured the seat across him. Odd, he just violated his supposed strict solitude.
"Why did you refuse Sakura-chan's invitation?" she asked.
"Well, not that they seem bad, I just wanted to get a feel of the place," Eriol answered truthfully.
"Oh. But she was offended when you refused. She thought she did you something wrong," she said.
"Then I must apologize later, Daidouji-san," he resolved.
"Tomoyo, Hiiragizawa-san," she told him. "Sakura-chan is your friend now, and so will you be mine too."
He blushed at the line. But he shook him self. She just means to be friendly, baka!
"So, you and Sakura-san are best friends?" he asked. Tomoyo had been talking about auburn-locked girl with familiarity.
"Yes, since childhood."
A guy came up and introduced himself as Inoue Hayo. "So another one, Tomoyo-san?"
"For the girls, yes," she laughed.
Eriol was quite baffled when the two began discussing in what seemed like a code. "Excuse me, Tomoyo-san, but I didn't seem to understand what you had talked about."
Tomoyo looked apologetic. "I'm sorry about that Hiiragizawa-san. But I'm afraid, I'm not the one who is supposed to answer that. You just have to ask the others."
Lunch break came and Eriol apologized to Sakura and joined the group.
"Sakura-san, why isn't your best friend here? I thought she might be with you," Eriol said, noting the absence of the lass.
"She's doing one of her outreaches," Sakura answered, not minding. The others giggled. More mystery, Eriol thought. He has to know a lot of this school.
"Please speak more clearly, Sakura-san," Eriol asked. He was starting to feel ignorant.
"Well, as you can see, Tomoyo-chan is quite popular here. She is known as "Cupid" around here."
"You mean, she's a matchmaker?" Eriol said, catching on.
"Yes. And that's why she's respected here. She's practically friends with everyone here," Naoko added.
"If this isn't too personal, may I ask if there was anyone who took interest in Tomoyo-san," Eriol asked meekly.
"Well, a lot of guys here like Tomoyo. But they respect her too much as too ask her out," Li answered. Then his expression darkened. "But there was this one guy who tried to make the moves on Tomoyo. Apparently Tomoyo didn't like him and slapped him. The guy continued to pursue her until she told us about him. So, the other guys and me decided to teach him a lesson. After that he transferred to another school."
"When the students heard about this, they became even more careful," Yamazaki said. "No one hurts our Tomoyo and gets away with it."
Eriol laughed in surprise. "About this matchmaking of hers, how many have been successful?"
Sakura, Li, Yamazaki, Chiharu, and Rika blushed. So, Naoko decided to speak.
"Most of it were successful, though some couples had to go to Tomoyo for "guidance"," she giggled. "She was the one who put Sakura and Li together, as well as Chiharu and Yamazaki. Rika-chan here is doing okay with Terada-sensei."
Eriol looked at the blushing people. He understood. He still one had one thing to ask. "A while ago, Tomoyo joined me for recess, and then this guy, Inoue, came up and asked Tomoyo "another one?" So what does that mean?"
The others looked at Eriol. He felt like he had to add something else before they got the wrong impression. "Then Tomoyo said, 'For the girls, yes.'"
"Oh." Rika answered for them. "Well, Hiiragizawa-san, if you must know, you're already popular here. From the time that you stepped into our class, you must've heard the whispers of the girls who saw you. And I must admit you are quite a looker. No doubt that they've asked Tomoyo about you."
Just in time, a group of passed them then squealed among themselves when Eriol looked at them. Rika and the others laughed at the slightly blushing Eriol.
"See? I was right. You're already famous."
"Why are you so interested about our Tomoyo-chan?" Chiharu narrowed her eyes. Eriol blushed even more. The others winked at each other.
"Hi guys. I was just talking to Nia about Kato," Tomoyo appeared. "Hiiragizawa-san, I see you're here with us."
He nodded without taking a glance. He was surprised at the unique tone of her laughter. Tomoyo sat in front of him. "You know, a lot of girls have asked about your personal profile."
"They have?" Eriol blushed again, this time at the smile Tomoyo gave him.
"Well, tell them that he's not interested," Li spoke.
"Huh? Why?" Tomoyo frowned.
"Because he's interested in someone else," Sakura said.
"Really Hiiragizawa? Tell me who she is and I'll set you up with her," she smiled brightly.
The whole group suddenly burst into laughter. Eriol was still quiet, fighting to keep his blushes. Tomoyo was clueless.
"Give us a chance Tomoyo," Chiharu said. "We're going to hone our matchmaking with this job."
"What do you mean? You're not including me?" Tomoyo pouted.
"Because you get most of the time setting people up," Rika said. "You have to rest, you know."
"But I like what I do," she retorted.
"Not this one," Sakura replied mysteriously.
"Hiiragizawa, do you have any idea of what they are talking about?" Tomoyo turned to him.
He tried to make a blank face. "No. I just came here and they were discussing already."
"We help Tomoyo in her some of her match makings, but it is she who does most of the work," Sakura said.
"Where did you pick up your amazing skill?" Eriol asked, turning to a slightly blushing Tomoyo.
"When I put Sakura and Li together years ago," she said. It was Sakura and Li who were blushing now.
They chatted some more until they went back to their classes.