That Day
That day, that day
What a marvelous mess
This is all that I can do
I'm done to be me
Sad, scared, small, alone, beautiful
It's supposed to be like this
I accept everything
It's supposed to be like this
-That Day, Natalie Imbruglia
~
The sun; it blinded me as it entered through my window. I knew that I was alive. I knew that I had to live through another miserable day of my life. I didn't know why, but I had a feeling of doom. It's not like I didn't feel miserable any other day . . . there was just something about today.
I stood up and quickly dressed for school. I knew that there was no use to pretending to be sick. The fact was . . . I had no one to pretend to, no one but my self. I was tired of pretending to myself and I didn't want any other reason to pretend.
I walked to school, having greeted the other students around me. I have been practicing my smile every morning and I have almost perfected the art. Now to give my biggest smile . . .
"Ohayo Tomoyo-chan!" a golden and cheerful voice greeted me. I knew who it was and I knew what to do.
"Ohayo Sakura!" I greeted back, my mouth curved into a smile and my face turned into a mask. Perfect . . .
"That's odd," she remarked, looking me over. "You don't have your camera with you."
I gave her another practiced smile and sat down on my seat. "I ran out of film and while okaa-san is away, I can't buy," I explained. I felt proud of myself for coming up with a believable excuse, for giving a credible lie.
"That's fine then." I couldn't help but notice the relieved look on her face.
I was grateful that our sensei came when he did. I didn't want to spend the time feeling sorry for my self. He looked excited for some reason . . . and I wasn't sure I would want to know why.
"Ohayo! We have a transfer student with us today," Umibe-sensei said. The radiance on his face was undeniable. This student must be valuable to him. I groaned inwardly. Another one to deceive . . . life just keeps getting better.
I heard a gasp from Sakura as she started grabbing my arm. It felt so good to be held by her, but I knew she was taken so I didn't let the pleasure show. I looked up to see the student and gasped as well. It was Clow Reed's reincarnate . . .
"Kawayami Tsuki," the Japanese boy in an English suit said. "Glad to meet you all."
I was dumbstruck. He looked too much like Hiiragizawa-kun to be Kawayami Tsuki. This is an outrage. What is that bastard planning to do? I glared at him and he gave me a smile.
"Tomoyo," I heard Sakura's tiny voice beside me. "Why are you glaring at him? He said he was Kawayami Tsuki. He couldn't be Eriol."
I gave her another practiced smile and turned to stare at our new transfer student. He stared back and winked. I felt heat creep up on my face, but my gaze never left him for a minute.
"Ah . . ." said Umibe-sensei. "Kawayami, you could stay behind Daidouji. Yes, she could tour you around the school. Is that fine with you, Daidouji-san?"
I gave a nod and continued my glaring game with "Kawayami Tsuki."
After class, Umibe-sensei called Kawayami aside and me. I knew what was going to happen. I guess I figured everyone around me too much.
"Daidouji-san, would you please show Kawayami-san around school?" he asked as if I never answered him a few hours before. Nevertheless, I nodded.
"Thank you."
He then left me to take care of Kawayami Tsuki. I decided to pretend that I believed him; it would be easier to get the truth out of him that way.
"Hello, Kawayami-san. I am Daidouji Tomoyo." I said formally, bowing first then extending my hand.
He suddenly grabbed it and kneeled down, putting it on his lips. "I am Kawayami Tsuki. Please call me Tsuki."
I was used to such English charms and was hardly affected. "Shall I show you around school now, Tsuki?"
"Lead the way, Miss Daidouji," he replied with a sweeping bow of an Englishman.
"Tomoyo, please, Eriol."
He looked flustered at first, but soon remained composure. It irritated me that he was still smiling after his apparent unmasking.
"I am so sorry, Tomoyo-chan. I am not an Eriol. I am Tsuki," he said with a never fading smile. "May I ask who this Eriol is, fair one?"
I was annoyed. After being found out, he still pretends. Where was his dignity as a man? But then, I couldn't question him. It would be too obvious. What if it was I who made the mistake?
"Gomen. You just reminded me of an old . . . acquaintance of painful importance," I told him instead. Although his face didn't alter, I was sure that his eyes were dancing.
"Painful Importance?"
I merely nodded my head and directed him into the music room.
"I was attacked by a piano," I said silently, but enough to make sure that he heard.
"I'm know."
There it was. That one slip of the tongue and I found out who he really was. I never knew that deceiving a man who lived two lives would be quite easy. No excuse could make up for what he said. I already heard it.
"Fine then, Mr. Hiiragizawa," I said, keeping my voice even. It was odd really to see Clow Reed so infuriated at himself.
"Ah . . . I guess I could not trick you, Daidouji-san," he said with a smile. "As you suspected, I am back, Eriol Hiiragizawa."
I hate it when he smiles. It just looks too . . . happy.
My eyes narrowed suspiciously as he brought out a small key. It was golden, and if I was correct, It was probably his sorcerer's cane.
After mumbling a few words, Eriol's key grew and a shining sign emerged from under his feet. He kept his eyes half closed and then it grew dim. After the awesome display of light, I was left alone in the music room, holding a violet piece of paper. There it was . . . Clow Reed's sign.
I walked home silently that day, pondering on Hiiragizawa's new tricks. It was no use though. I just had to be ready for anything he might pull. Anything . . .
"Tomoyo-chan," I heard a deep voice whisper in my ear. I leapt and saw Eriol's face. "Did I frighten you?" He was, of course, smiling.
"Iie."
He frowned slightly. I was surprised. I didn't understand the sorcerer at all, but that was fine. I just had to make sure that he'd never understand me.
"I was wondering if I could walk you home," he said. Now there was an odd request.
"Hai."
We walked in silence and I wondered why I felt so uneasy with him hanging around me. Didn't he have better things to do? Or am I involved in one of his devilish plots?
"I'm not involving you in anything illegal or dangerous," he said suddenly.
"Can you read minds?" I asked him coldly. I was disgusted with his magic . . . or any magic.
He gave me another smile. "No. You're face told me . . ."
"WHAT?" I screamed and then pulled my hair before I became calm. I could not believe that my masks have failed me.
He laughed heartily at my expense. That was something you don't see everyday.
As soon as I regained my composure, I gave him a long stare. "What are you doing here?" I asked coldly. "You have no idea how much I despise anything to do with magic and the like."
For once, he didn't have a ready answer and I was, to put it simply, surprised. "Why are you here in Tomoeda, Hiiragizawa-kun?" I asked again. His prolonged silence irritated me.
"I – I don't know."
~
A/N: Do you like it? If you do, I'd gladly continue it. Don't you just love smooth Eriol and lady-like Tomoyo together? Eriol is hot!