this is dedicated to all my friends(you know who you are guyz!) especially to my idol,Ate Ekai and my good friend fireblaze.This is my way of saying Happy valentines to you guys and to the readers out there!

syao-syao no hime
*****

Chapter 11 I Confess

"Are we expecting guests?"asked Nakuru.

"No."Eriol didn't look up from what he was reading.

"Well there's one coming up,and here she is."She opened the door just as Tomoyo was about to barge in.The woman bowed before her master and winked at her soon-to-be-mistress."I still have an unsettled business with Suppi.See you guys later!"She left the room cheerfully.

Tomoyo speechlessly stared at the boy who was staring at her too.Her eyes went down the pearl-white letter he was reading."M-My letter.."

"I was just about to read it,Hermosa."he said and crossed the room.Tomoyo stepped back in fear,but he didn't reach for her.He merely locked the door and stood in front of it,arms crossed."But an idea suddenly came to me.Why don't I let you read it aloud for me?"

Tomoyo felt like she wanted to sink to the center of the earth."E-Eriol,just give me back the letter and forget everything."

He clicked his tounge in mock regret."I'm sorry,Hermosa,but I must remind you that you are not in the position to make too many demands."He showed her the letter and smiled.

"Eriol,please just give me the letter and let me go home."she begged softly.

Something flickered in his eyes but his mouth was set into a hard line."No,read it."he ordered.

"Eriol!"

"Read it."he repeated,softer this time.

With trembling hands,she took the letter and began to read."Hermosa,she was a shadow that was me,but hid me in vague black outlines.."

"Continue."prompted Eriol.

"She gave me the freedom to dance to my own groove,the rhythm of love.."she looked at him,blushing.His face was unreadable."G-Go on."he choked.

"..you taught me,without knowing you actually did.I cast my kagero on my pearl white wall and painted it with my heart's hue,and fascinated you with my kagero's primitive rhytmic dance o-of l-love.."her voice trailed off.

"..untold."he caught."Continue."

"She did a good job,oh yes she did.She kept you staring at the pearl white wall as I slowly gather the strength to accept the truth.."she tried to calm her erratic heartbeat with a deep inhale,but it didn't help.

"Tomoyo?"he called softly.

"..that I was falling madly and deeply in love with you."she finished shakily.

Silence.

She suddenly crumpled the letter and threw it at his chest."This is enough!I'm sorry if I ever dreamed of manipulating your feelings..I was wrong,really wrong.I should have known better than to try to hurt Eriol Hiragizawa.What a grave mistake it was!"She rubbed her tears that suddenly sprouted,betraying her emotions to him."But my biggest,gravest mistake was I took my game seriously and I fell in love with you!"

Eriol fell silent.He knelt down,took the letter and smoothed it against the wall.He then pocketed it."I will let you out as you wish,that is,if you answer one question with all honesty."

Tomoyo looked up.

"Is everything I heard from you true?"he asked.

No hesitation.No deep thought."Yes."she replied immediately and truthfully.No use hiding her feelings anymore.She just wanted complete honesty-with herself and the one she loves.

He leaned on the door."I'm sorry,but I won't let you out."

"What?But why?"Did Eriol think she was lying again?

He gave her a bittersweet smile."Hey,I may be gullible,but I'm not stupid.The girl I love the most and care for more than my life says she loves me and I would just let her walk out of my life?"He chuckled."Never,my dearest."

She smiled through her tears."This is quite easy for you,Eriol Hiragizawa.Hermosa and I-the two people you love-are the same person.But what if Hermosa turned out to be another person?Who would you choose?"she asked.

"Easy.The girl who caught my heart even before this whole crazy love letter business began."He said.

Tomoyo ran towards him and threw herself into his warm familiar embrace she longed for."You may be lying through your teeth now,but guess what?I don't mind.As long as I have you,I would want nothing more."

"Same here,but I wish we can go back to square one when we can trust each other again completely."he said.

"Sounds good."she replied.

"May I kiss you,Daidouji-san?"he asked hopefully as he tipped her chin up.

"The nerve!You stole one already from me back in the park and now you're asking me-"

"I never stole it.You gave it willingly."he countered,smiling coyly.

"You are so arrogant,my nerdy Eriol Hiragizawa."she said.

"Daidouji-san,you're changing the topic.."he whispered,his face just inches away from hers.

"Stop calling me Dai-"Her mouth was stopped by Eriol's heartbreakingly sweet kiss.

Oh what the heck!Daidouji-san,Plum Blossoms,Tomoyo or Hermosa,Eriol loves her all the same!



The End.

"Sa hinaba-haba ng prusisyon,sa simbahan din ang tuloy!"

-a Filipino proverb