LOVE YOU SO
By Dandy352
Disclaimer: CCS isn't mine. But the story plot of 'LOVE YOU SO' is mine.
Summary: Sometimes in life, the princess has to do the saving. Why? Because Prince Charming is also human and needs encouragement. If she won't, Prince Charming will disguise himself as a pauper and runaway from duty.
PS: I've read this quote somewhere. Pls. inform me if you happen to know its author.
CHAPTER TWO
The Magical Moment
"What hasn't happened in a million years can happen in the next moment."
"Well, now you have something they don't expect you to have." Tomoyo said humorously, winking at her dancing partner Shin Zy.
Blushing, Shin Zy forced himself to meet her vibrant purple eyes. Stuttering, he managed to ask, "And what- what's that?"
For a moment, she stared at him with mild amusement. He felt a tug in his heart when she gave him a warm genuine smile.
"Confidence." She said.
It took him a while to believe he heard right, but as soon as it sank in, a unique smile he hasn't shown in years crept up his chubby freckled face.
The slow song came to its finish. Though it was the same atmosphere filled with guests staring at him with mocking eyes, Shin Zy knew it wasn't like before. He was still the same fat freckled face guy everybody in school used to laugh at. The difference was that now their opinions no longer matter to him. After all, didn't Tomoyo Daidouji - the girl everybody admires, choose him to be her dance partner for the night?
He beamed at the thought. He felt extreme gratefulness towards the girl and in the spur of the moment, surprised her with a tight hug.
"Thank you Tomoyo! You don't know how much this means to me! You- you weren't kidding when you said you want to be my friend, were you?"
Tomoyo was shocked, but responded with understanding. "Of course." She said politely, returning his friendly hug.
Shin Zy hurriedly let go of her.
"Ahm, ahm-…"
She would have assumed he wanted to say something more serious with the hesitant look he was giving her, but when she followed his eyes and saw the maids bringing new dishes, he need not say more.
"Go ahead and eat. Those dishes are delightful!" She chuckled, but responded encouragingly.
"Really? The roast beef caught my eyes!"
"It did, didn't it?"
"But what about you Tomoyo?"
"Oh. I'll take a break from here. Do you mind? I feel a little tired with the dancing."
"Of course! Would you like me to accompany you first?"
She shook her head appreciatively. "No, it's alright. You go eat. I'll just inform mom and dad."
"Oh,okay. Then, I'll just, ahm, go ahead and eat."
"Yes, you do that."
"Okay! See you later then." He said, grinning as he walked excitedly to the food table.
Tomoyo Daidouji, smiling, watched him leave.
Feeling exhausted, she gave out a soft sigh. She tucked in a strand of ash-violet hair behind her right ear. Turning around, she was forced to step back and would have lost balance if the tall guy she bumped in didn't catch her by the wrist.
"I see you haven't changed Tomoyo." She flinched, hearing his hoarse teasing voice. Looking up, she saw to her dismay, her arch nemesis, Nathaniel Steve - the prince of all frogs, the one at the top list of her reasons if she ever dare believe that guys are up to no good.
"I see you're still stalking me." She retorted firmly.
"Tomoyo, Tomoyo, I would have believed you purely dislike our kind, but seeing as you danced with the outcast of the school, perhaps you just enjoy tempting me?"
"Tempting you? Huh." She said with disbelief evident in her tone.
"Always a strong character you are." He said, smirking amusedly at her.
"Always an arrogant detestable jerk you are." She said proudly and firmly, not succumbing to his superior aura.
"My, is that your way to invite a man to dance? It's not what I expected, but I'd say yes nevertheless."
This time, it was her turn to smirk. "No, it's not. But it's my way of saying 'Get out of my way.'"
That and she walked away, leaving him with the rest of the dancing couples.
Tomoyo helped herself carry the weight of her gown. She couldn't help but feel relief when she spotted her parents.
"Mom!" she called, making both presidents of Daidouji Designs and Daidouji Toy Company turn to her.
"Tomoyo darling, what happened?" Natsuki Daidouji asked sounding concerned.
"You didn't tell me you invited Nathan!"
Natsuki gulped, turning to look at his beloved wife.
"Let me guess. It's mom's idea, again." She said without hesitation. She turned to her mom who was now making her way to them, greeting guests on her way.
"Tomoyo dearest!" She chirped, kissing her daughter on the cheek. "Enjoying yourself?"
"No. You invited Nathan." She said, and Sonomi instantly looked guilty.
"Ooops."
"Mom! I thought we talked about this already!"
"But Tomoyo, you're sixteen. I wouldn't have done things behind your back if you at least give us some hope you'll fall in love like other girls. We can't not have our grandchildren! Isn't that right Natsuki?" Sonomi explained exasperatedly, glancing at her husband.
Natsuki almost choked on the red wine he just drank, and coughing forced himself to respond.
"Should I say yes?" He managed.
Sonomi glared and Tomoyo smiled in satisfaction. Believing it's all up to her now to convince their daughter, she sighed.
"Tomoyo dearest look, you're sixteen and still NBSB. Don't tell me you don't find any of your suitors attractive because I swear if I were you, I'd ditch your dad and marry one of them, especially the Prince of Harland! You see my point? You've been courted by almost all types of guys worldwide, from sons of government officers to pure red blood monarchs and still none of them seem to fit your standards!"
Natsuki coughed harder but Sonomi didn't care.
"Still, that doesn't explain why you invited Nathan."
"Oh for goodness's sake Tomoyo, at least he's one acceptable boy who manages to get a reaction from you!"
"But I'm your daughter! Aren't you supposed to be on my side?"
"I tried Tomoyo. I tried. But I can't wait that long. Sixteen years and still no progress with your love life, what kind of mother am I if I let you grow up alone in the solitude of single life?"
"That's the point mom! I'm just sixteen!"
"So what? I'm sixteen when I met your dad!"
"Oh please, it'd different on your case. You guys are best friends!"
"Tomoyo, the boy likes you, why not give him a chance? Honestly I wouldn't mind any boy for that matter. Get yourself a man!"
"Aah!" Tomoyo exclaimed in a disgruntled gasp. "That's it. Please excuse me, I'm out of here."
She said, walking away. Her parents didn't even bother to stop her. At least they knew she wouldn't try to run away.
"Don't worry honey. Tomoyo knows what she's doing."
"And that's exactly what I'm worried about. She's too critical in picking things. Sometimes, I blame myself for spoiling her too much." Sonomi sighed, leaning on her husband's chest.
Natsuki wrapped her in a hug. "And that's why she'll only settle for the best. Isn't that a good thing?"
"But she's sixteen! We married when we're eighteen!"
Natsuki gave out a light chuckle. His wife was worrying too much, as always. "She's different from us. And I trust, at the right time, at the right moment, she'll find him."
"I just want it to be real soon. I want to see my daughter in love."
"Oh I don't know if I'm ready for that yet, but, yeah."
Tomoyo Daidouji, uncaring if she was stepping on her sky blue long gown made her leave as fast as she can. She managed to fake a smile to the guests who greeted her on her way out, and she even managed to send a death glare to Nathan. Fortunately, he got the message and didn't bother to chase after her.
All her life she tried her best to be the perfect daughter. In most cases, she would think she succeeded, but not in one specific aspect.
She knew her parents' expectations of her. And the one expectation they have that she can't seem to meet is her falling in love.
She relaxed when she saw the calm water on their swimming pool. At least now she's far from the crowd. At least now, she can release whatever she's forcing herself to keep inside.
With an exasperated sigh, Tomoyo Daidouji pulled out one of her glass slippers and led by her bolting emotion to her mother's reasoning, brought up all her strength and threw it far, far away.
'So much for being the perfect princess! Can't a princess be without a prince?'
She fell to her knees and for the first time that night, allowed herself to break free. Hugging her knees as she stared at her reflection on clear water, she allowed herself to cry.
It was a good thing she was wearing water proof make up or else she would have looked like a Panda now.
Calming herself, she tried to think of the good things that happened.
"At least Shin felt better about himself." She told herself.
It took her a few minutes to compose herself. Standing up, she dusted off her gown.
She frowned seeing her barefoot.
"It was a stupid thing to throw your slipper Tomoyo. What were you thinking?" She scolded herself, bringing a hand to caress her forehead.
She was about to leave in search for her wronged glass slipper, but lucky or not, fate wasn't on her side.
"Cinderella?"
She yelped when she heard a masculine voice. She took some time to collect herself but knew she'll have to face the intruder anyway. Deciding she had no other choice, she didn't bother to prolong his wait.
She turned and as her eyes locked on dull gray irises covered by thin transparent glasses she knew right then and there, she was finally staring at the man she almost gave up waiting for.
A smile found its way to her face as she felt her heartbeat quickening in her chest.
The stranger held her stare, his grip on the glass shoe loosening. He already thought that the glass slipper may lead him to an interesting place. It just didn't occur to him it was to the extent of beauty where the word itself would be an understatement.
Neither aware how long they've been staring, neither seems to mind. Time stood frozen, and none, not even the chirping birds nor the chilling wind breeze mattered. It was as if there were just them: a Japanese lady in silk long gown the color of the sky with only one foot covered and a Eurasian man in midnight tux holding the other half of her glass slipper.
"I believe this is yours." He would have smacked himself for asking, trying to test if it was all a dream, if she was a pigment of his imagination.
He could have sworn his heart leaped up when she gave him an apologetic smile.
"Yes, I'm afraid it is."
He smiled at how she's trying to avoid his eyes and was failing miserably.
"May I?" He saw her eyes widen in stun, but it didn't stop him from bending on one knee as he urged her to lift her barefoot, a request that she hesitantly and shyly succumbed to.
He couldn't help but smile as he held her porcelain foot, putting the crystal slipper on her.
"A perfect fit!"
"I'm sorry. You didn't have to. I-" She looked flushed and he realized he like the light shade of rose on her cheeks. But being the gentleman that he was, he couldn't allow himself to prolong her discomfort.
"The pleasure's all mine." He said, surprising her by taking her hand and kissing her knuckles.
She blushed but forced herself to recover when he raised his head, meeting her eyes once again. His proximity was alarming her, but again, she covered it up with politeness. The man just did her a favor after all.
"Thank you."
She felt like drowning when she looked up to see him staring at her eyes, again. But before she could bring her hand to touch him, he stepped back, giving her space to compose herself once again.
The man didn't seem as fazed as her but she was positive, he was feeling uneasy too. She can see it in the way his eyes look lost when they meet hers. Then he'll manage to cool himself again by blinking rapidly. She fought a chuckle. She believed he was just better at putting up façade than her.
She had to stop herself from admiring the man when he straightened his tux and look at her once again.
"I never thought I'll be seeing Cinderella tonight." He said, sounding amused.
She was certain she looked stunned for a moment. Why does he have that effect on her?
"And I didn't expect to see a charming gentleman, or would you prefer I call you a prince?" She said, trying her best to look calm when in reality her knees were suddenly feeling weak.
"Such an honor to hear that from the lips of a beautiful lady, but I'm afraid I'm just a humble knight."
She could almost feel her knees melting.
"I've got to say, I've never met anyone as courteous as this knight in front of me." She smiled approvingly.
He was certainly feeling more amused every passing second of their conversation. Who knew the night could be this interesting? To think only minutes ago, he was planning to come up with an excuse to leave early.
He grinned. It wouldn't hurt to stay longer, or who knows, he might actually be staying for the rest of the night.
"You're too kind my lady."
"May I know the name of this courteous knight?"
He froze for a moment, and she felt satisfaction of being able to cause him that. They've been conversing for quite a while and still were unaware of each other's name. He seemed to realize it too as he gentlemanly knelt down on one knee once again, taking her hand.
"My apologies my lady. This humble knight's name is Eriol, Eriol Hiiragizawa."
"Eriol." She murmured, realizing too late that she just said his name.
"Ahm, I should also introduce myself. My name's Tomoyo, Tomoyo Daidouji."
"Tomoyo." He said unknowingly, and it was her turn to amuse herself with the sound of her name from his lips.
The two shared another staring contest, unaware that four pairs of eyes were watching them from afar.
Sonomi Daidouji couldn't help her grin as she laid her head on her husband, Natsuki Daidouji's chest, the binoculars laid aside in the balcony railing. The man returned by enveloping her in his arms, and kissing her forehead.
"Finally, our princess has met the real deal of Prince Charming!"
The man chuckled.
"Don't you think it's too early to say that? They just met."
"I know, but one look and one can say they're perfect for each other. Don't you agree?"
It took a short pause before her husband gave a defeated sigh.
"Well, they do look good together."
Meanwhile, another couple was enjoying the view from the glass window right below the said balcony. Madeline Hiirazawa gave a toast to her husband Hitoshi Hiiragizawa.
"At least we know he won't be trying to escape anytime soon!"
"You really think this will work?"
"Well yes of course! The moment Sonomi showed me the picture I knew she's perfect for him!"
"Women."
"Oh now you don't trust my instinct?" She said, looking offended.
"Oh dear no!" Her husband suddenly regretted his comment but relaxed when he saw her grinning.
Disregarding her antics, he continued explaining. "The boy is- well Eriol's just not your ordinary boy. At least I know he's not after Selena and I divorced. He- he changed." He finished with a stressed sigh.
Madeline frowned, sitting on an empty sofa right beside them and crossing her legs. "I- I know that. But at least he got a father who truly cares about him!" She tried to make the atmosphere cheery but realized it was in vain. Hitoshi's face still look sulky.
"Come here." She said, patting at the empty spot beside her. Hitoshi obeyed.
"Hey, you know I also care about him. It may not be as strong as how Selena cares for him but I have my share of the boy's life. I know he's having a difficult time. He needs time to adjust. But Hitoshi, he's your son. You got to believe he'll overcome this soon enough." She smiled encouragingly and Hitoshi finally smiled back.
"And looking at him and Tomoyo, I say it wouldn't hurt to have a girl helping him with the adjustment."
"You really think it'll work out?"
"Have some faith, will you? Eriol's your son. Knowing his father, I know he's a lot stronger than you're giving him credit for."
Hitoshi smirked. "Yes, he's my son."
A/N: Sorry for the late update. I just got home after almost two weeks in school. I finished this chapter today :) So, what do you guys think? Did you feel the magic? More reviews will encourage me to update so it's up to you to be responsive. God bless and thank you for reading!
-Dandy352