HEY EVERYONE! Remember when I said I'll update another chapter before the start of the school year? WELL HERE IT IS! WHOO-HOO! ENJOY!
Chapter 14
A Small Doubt
Sakura's POV
"Our school is going to host a café festival," said the teacher he wrote it in the board. "It's going to be held seven days from today. Invite your friends, family, or anyone interested."
The class murmured amongst themselves as they handed the fliers to each other.
"Since the school year is ending, let's do our best everyone!" he said.
"Hai!" chorused the class as the bell rang. The students started to walk out of the class.
"This school has a lot of events," I said, amazed.
"Yeah, it brings up the school spirit," said Rika as she placed a book in her bag.
"I see…" I said as I faced Syaoran. "Hey, Syaoran, are you going?"
"I dunno," he said looking at me as Rika and Naoko stared. "Probably not."
"Why do you always say, "No" in everything…?" I sighed.
"Because I don't want to go," he replied. "People just make me."
"Li-kun let's go to the festival!" I heard Meiling say.
"Like her," he added dully.
"Oh," I said, though I was not surprised. Syaoran left early saying that he needed to smoke.
"Syaoran quit smoking…!" I said. "It's gonna kill you, you know. I hate smokers…"
"Yeah yeah…" said Syaoran as he walked out.
I wonder if Syaoran is really going to the festival…
Freak, it's not like I care!
"Did you make up with your brother yet?" said Tomoyo as she, Naoko, Chiharu, Rika, and I walked out of the class.
"Eh, not yet," I said.
"Hey, guys," said Rika. "I, uh… need to talk to Terada-sensei about something. You guys go on ahead without me."
"Oh… okay," said Naoko. "Come on guys."
Rika waved at us and headed to Terada-sensei's classroom.
"I wonder what she wanted to know," I said.
Tomoyo smiled. "It's probably a personal thing," she said.
"Eh? Personal?" I said curiously.
"Let's go," she said, as she took my hand.
"O…okay," I said.
"So…" said Naoko. "Are you going to the festival?"
"Yeah, it sounds fun," said Chiharu as Tomoyo nodded. The all looked at me.
"Sakura-chan?" they said at once.
"Oh y-yeah… I'm going," I said.
"Oh I spoke to Terada-sensei about the costumes," said Tomoyo smiling. "I'm going to be in charge of them."
"Ooh, Tomoyo-chan," said Chiharu. "That's a big responsibility."
"Yeah, but it's going to be so fun!" said Tomoyo. "Oh ho ho ho!"
I wonder what Tomoyo's gonna plan now…
Syaoran's POV
I had a feeling I shouldn't have told Sakura she looked "cute." How stupid of me. Eh, whatever.
I stared at my cigarette pack as I was sitting against the classroom wall.
Man I haven't smoked in a while. It's probably because all of these weird events that happened this past week.
"Syaoran, quit smoking…!"
Hmph, why should I listen to you?!
I slowly took a cigarette and lit it.
"Feh, café my ass," I muttered as I placed it to my lips.
"I-I'm sorry Yoshiyuki, I just had to see you," said a voice.
"What the…" I muttered as I opened the classroom window. I stared blankly and tried my best to keep myself from being exposed.
It was that Sasaki girl (one of Sakura's friends) and Terada. What the hell?
"It's alright Rika," said Terada. "I wanted to see you too."
"You're going to be really busy this week, aren't you?" said Sasaki. "I-I guess I won't be able to see you much…"
I saw Terada give a sad smile.
"I'm sorry Rika," he said. "You… you must be very lonely."
Sasaki smiled, yet I saw something wet on her face. Was she crying?
"I-I'm not lonely!" she said. "And—it's your job after all…!"
I stared as I saw Terada hug her. And then... kiss her.
Hmm… so I guess Sasaki has the hots for a teacher. No wonder she acts so… quiet in front of him.
He left the room as she wiped her eyes. I tried to walk back, but… the cigarette burned my hand.
"Ah!" I gasped as I threw it on the ground.
Sasaki gasped. "Wh-who's there?!" she said. She gasped again when she saw me.
"L-Li?!" she exclaimed.
"Oh—ah—sorry for startling you," I said awkwardly as I stepped back. "I'll just—"
"You saw everything didn't you…?" she asked quietly. I looked at her frightful face. I wonder…
"Please don't tell anyone!" she cried. "I beg you! I'll do anything!"
"What? That you're in love with a teacher?" I said.
She looked nearly tearful.
"Don't worry… I won't," I said. "Just be careful."
She smiled at me. "Thank you!" she said as she bowed. Then she ran off.
I wonder if Sakura knew. What the… why am I thinking about her now?
Sakura's POV
I slowly walked into the house and to the kitchen. Toya was there, grabbing a soda. When he looked at me, he sadly turned away and quickly went up to his room.
Oh… he's still mad at me…
"Konichiwa, Sakura-chan," said a voice. I spun around and saw Yukito smile at me.
"Yukito… I…" I started.
"He's not mad… if you were wondering," he replied. "It's more… of the opposite."
"Eh…?" I said.
"But you know Toya," he continued. "He's the kind of guy who won't express his emotions verbally… but when the time is right, you can talk to him."
"I know…" I said.
"I heard you guys have a café festival right?" he said. "Can I come?"
"Sure…! You're invited!" I said.
"And Toya…?" he said.
"Yes…!" I said.
"I bet he'll be glad to hear that from you," he said smiling again. I smiled at him.
"Okay, Yukito."
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"Gwah… I'm late!" I gasped as I ran to the school gate as the morning bell rang.
I saw Tomoyo wave to me at the end of the hall. Coast clear, phew.
"Sakura-chan, what happened?" said Tomoyo.
"I couldn't—find—my shoes—" I gasped.
"Oy, Sakura," I heard Syaoran say. I turned and just managed to catch a cold bottle of water.
"Good morning, slowpoke," he said as he sat down on his desk.
"Th-thanks…" I said staring. Tomoyo beamed.
"Alright class, get seated…" said Terada as he stood up from his desk. "Let's discuss the roles of the café…"
I stared at the desk and ground. There were a lot of papers scattered on the ground and it looked as though Terada swept them to the corner of the class.
I wonder what happened. Was he cleaning?
Rika quietly sighed as she stared at the birdcage (it was her turn to take care of Sai, the class pet, which was a dove).
"Rika-chan, what's wrong?" I asked. "You don't usually look so down…"
"Oh… it's nothing," she replied smiling faintly.
"Eh? But—" I started.
"Hey Sakura, leave her alone," said Syaoran suddenly. "She said she's okay."
"Oh… okay…" I said slowly. Since when did Syaoran say things like that…? I didn't want her to get hurt… I only wanted to know if she was okay.
Syaoran…
Argh, why am I thinking about him?!
"Everyone ready?" said Terada. "The festival is only days away!"
"Yes!" said the class.
"Alright everyone, let's do our best!"
Syaoran's POV
"Li-kun, let's go out to eat!" said Meiling.
"No… leave me alone," I said.
"Why not?!" she said.
"Because I'm—!" I started.
There was a scream in the locker room. What the hell was that? Was that a scream? Sakura…!
I rushed to the locker room (with Meiling trailing behind) and saw Sakura, Sasaki, and Daidouji stare at something that was in Sasaki's locker.
Sasaki was in tears as she held something in her hands. I looked at the contents of her locker; there was blood and… feathers everywhere. The dead bird was in Sasaki's hands.
"S-Sai-chan…" she sobbed. "I-I… p-p-put her in th-the l-locker… f-for a…a minute… a-and…"
She couldn't speak anymore as she bent down and cried.
I looked at the back of the locker and stared.
In kanji with the blood as ink, said…
I know your secret.
"Rika-chan… it's going to be okay…!" said Sakura as she hugged Sasaki tightly. I looked at her and she was in tears too. I didn't know why but somehow I didn't feel so good when I saw Sakura crying…
"We had to help Terada-sensei with the book order," Daidouji explained to me. "So she put the cage in her locker for a bit and when we came back to get it, it was like this."
"Someone killed the bird…" I said slowly.
"Yes," said Daidouji sadly. "No one was here to see it…"
"Why would someone do this?!" said Sakura shrilly.
Could it be? Someone's trying to shake Sasaki… someone who probably saw her and Terada too…
"Hey Sasaki… let's go bury Sai," I said suddenly as I grabbed her hand.
"L-Li-kun?!" said Meiling. "What about—?"
"Shut up Meiling," I said. "Sasaki, come." We both ran to the outside sinks.
"No one saw who did this?" I said quietly. Sasaki shook her head as she began to wash her hands and the bird's body. Its grotesque body looked like someone had tried to hack it into pieces.
"Someone's trying to blackmail you," I said finally.
"L-Li… what do I do?" she whispered.
"I don't know," I replied. "But… someone heard you other than me when you were with Terada."
"O-Oh no…!" she gasped. "I…"
"What about Terada," I said. "Did anything happen to him?"
"W-well, his office was a mess this morning… and he had to get a new desk because there was ink written all over it…" she said. "And he got a lot of hate mails…"
Hmm… the person got Terada as well. It can't be a group of people… otherwise the whole school would know by now. It's just one person…
"Does anyone you know, know about this except for me?" I said. She shook her head.
Perfect.
"Okay Sasaki," I said as I placed my hands on her shoulders to calm her down. "I have a plan. But you have to trust me on this, and tell no one. Okay?"
She nodded. "A-Alright…" she said.
Sakura's POV
I hope Rika is alright. Sai's death all came to a shock for us, but I'm sure Rika was the one who was affected the most (she was the one who took care of it longer than all of us had).
But what was up with Syaoran?
Tomoyo said the same thing.
"Eh…?" I said as I licked my spoon full of ice cream. Tomoyo and I were spending the afternoon at an ice cream shop after school.
"He seemed really concerned," said Tomoyo. "Maybe… something's going on…"
"Maybe he likes her," I said shrugging. "You never know. Rika-chan is pretty."
Tomoyo looked down at her ice cream bowl. "No… it's not that," she murmured.
"Huh?" I said.
She looked up at me. "Nothing…" she said smiling. "Finish your ice cream Sakura-chan, it's melting…!"
"R-Right…!" I said as we both began to eat our ice creams.
"Gah, brain FREEZE…!" I cried as I held my head. Tomoyo giggled.
Hmm… Syaoran…
I dunno about Tomoyo, but I'm sure it's probably nothing.
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"Uwah, what a day," I said as I walked down the sidewalk towards the direction of my house.
I think Toya's taking a late shift today. I wonder… if he's still mad at me.
I saw a small candy shop along the way. "Oh… I'm going to buy Rika some candy to cheer her up for tomorrow," I muttered to myself as I went in.
I stared at the assortments on the shelves. "Oh…! This is good," I said as I picked out a chocolate teddy bear.
Someone roughly bumped into me. "Gwah!" I said as I dropped the bear.
"Sakura-san!" said a familiar voice. I turned and saw Kazuma who quickly grabbed the bear before it fell to the floor.
"K-Kazuma-kun!" I said.
He smiled at me. "Looking for candy?" he said. "I was candy shopping too."
"Oh… y-yeah," I said, blushing a bit. Hmm… something about Kazuma didn't look really…
"Oh, Kazuma-kun, are you alright?" I said staring. Kazume grinned at me.
"Don't worry about me," he said. "I'm alright; I'm just getting a little sickly from the heat."
"Oh… I hope you feel better," I said. Kazume looked back to the door and quickly shoved the bear into my arms.
"I'm sorry Sakura-san, but I have to go," he said smiling sadly. "I'm in a hurry."
"Oh alright, bye," I said. He dashed out of the door. I turned around and purchased the bear chocolate (and put it in a bag) and then heard the door open.
"Sakura-chan?" said another voice. I turned and stared.
It was Rika and Syaoran… together.
"R-Rika-chan? Syaoran?" I said. "What are you…?"
"Oh… she wasn't feeling so good so we went here to get some candy," said Syaoran.
"I… I see," I said. My stomach felt queasy for some strange reason. I looked at Rika who looked down… she was still shaken about the bird.
But why would Syaoran… be with Rika?
Syaoran took a couple of chocolate bars and showed them to Rika. "You want these?" he asked her.
"Oh… okay…" she said. He went to the cash register and paid for the candy from his own money.
I just… stared at them. I don't know why… but…
Gah, stop staring at them you idiot!
"Okay… here," said Syaoran as he gave Rika the bag.
"Oh?" said the cashier grinning. "You're a nice boyfriend, treating your girlfriend like that."
"Yeah, I guess," said Syaoran. I stared at him, but he avoided my gaze.
"Rika… let's go," he said as he placed an arm around her shoulders. "See you tomorrow Sakura."
Rika…?
"B-Bye Sakura-chan…!" said Rika as she smiled at me.
"Oh… bye…" I said as they both walked out. I watched them walk to his car and drive away…
Him and… Rika…? He even called her 'Rika.'
And…
He didn't deny that… she was his girlfriend. Does that mean… they're going out…?
I looked down at the chocolate bear.
Why does my chest hurt?
But… I can't think about that right now. I need to… apologize to Toya today.
When I came home at around five in the afternoon, I saw Toya's and Yukito's shoes on the doorstep.
I placed the bear chocolate on my desk and heard Yukito call me.
"Sakura-chan… I need to go buy something," he said. "I'll be right back."
I smiled at him… I knew what he wanted me to do. We both went downstairs and I watched him put on his shoes.
"Good luck… Sakura," he whispered as he stood up. I nodded.
"See you later," he said and he closed the door behind him. I slowly turned and walked up the stairs to Toya's room.
I knocked on the door.
"Yeah?" said Toya's voice. "Did you forget something Yukito?"
I slowly opened the door and saw Toya's eyes look at me and slowly stood up.
"Toya—I—" I started.
He walked to me so that we were only inches away from each other.
"I don't hate you Toya," I said. "What I said, I didn't mean it…!"
He looked down at me.
"I don't hate you!" I said. "I'm sorry. I know you're mad at me… but…!"
He suddenly grabbed me and hugged tightly against him.
"Ah…!"
"When I heard from Yukito—that you got attacked—" he said. "I was so scared that you…"
His voice trailed off. "Since the day Mom and Dad died—you were the only one I had left," he said. "I don't—I don't want to lose you too."
"Toya…" I said as I hugged him back.
We both lied down next to each other on our parent's bed like we used to when we were little (after they died).
"Hey… bro," I said.
"Hm?" he said.
"At our school—we have a café festival, can you come?" I said.
He faced me and smiled.
"I'll be there."
The door opened and we both stared at the person who came in. It was Yukito who was smiling more broadly than ever.
"I have pork buns," he said grinning as he held up a huge bag of something steaming.
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Ah, I'm so happy Toya is talking to me now. He says so many funny things when we start a conversation, especially when Yukito is around. Though sometimes Toya is still annoying… he just can't give up calling me "monster" all the time…
I sighed as I placed my books into my book bag. Then I lied down on my bed. The festival is going to start the day after tomorrow…
Ring Ring! Ring Ring!
I picked it up and answered.
"Hello?"
"Sakura?"
It was Syaoran. The familiar queasiness inside me returned.
"Wh-what's up…?" I said slowly. Somehow my voice was a little shaky.
"Sakura… I need to tell you something," he said.
"What is it?"
"…"
He gave off some sort of restrained sigh.
"Syaoran…?"
"…Goodnight," he said finally.
Oh. So that was it…
"Oh… goodnight…" I said. I quickly ended the call.
Stupid Syaoran.
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"Café's tomorrow class," said Terada (is it me or did he look kinda pale?).
"Okay!" said the class. The bell rang.
"Class dismissed…" he said.
"Hey—why is Terada-sensei so down?" I whispered.
"I dunno either," said Naoko. "He stopped getting hate mails and stuff too. Wonder what's bothering him now."
However, Rika looked happier than ever. She seemed to exchange glances with Syaoran a lot.
Agh, stop it Sakura! You don't like him!
"Hey Rika-chan…!" I said as I gave her the chocolate bear. "I hope you feel better!"
"Oh! Thank you Sakura-chan!" she said happily.
"Hey Rika… let's go," said Syaoran as he took his and her book bags.
"Okay, bye guys!" said Rika cheerfully as they both walked out. Tomoyo looked a little surprised.
"Sakura-chan," she said. "You okay?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I said.
"…"
"Tomoyo-chan?" I said looking at her.
"Nothing," she said. "It's nothing."
I looked to where Syaoran left. Argh, I'm so mad at him right now. But I have no clue why…
Agh, stupid Syaoran…!
I didn't see Kazuma in class today. Someone said he stayed home sick… I guess he was really sick when I met him yesterday.
I walked out with Tomoyo and saw Syaoran and Rika together, talking and laughing.
"Eh…" I said.
Naoko and Chiharu looked surprised.
"What's with Li and Rika-chan?" said Naoko. "Wonder why they hang around so much."
"I guess Syaoran has the hots for Rika-chan now," I said forcefully. Chiharu, Naoko, and Tomoyo stared at me.
"Wh-what?" I said. "Why are you guys looking at me like that?"
"Nothing…" they said slowly.
There was a bang and a scream. We all ran to noise's source and to my horror, saw Syaoran on the ground.
"S-Syaoran!" I said as I ran to him. "Are you—?"
"Yeah," said Syaoran as he wiped his face which was partially covered with blood.
"What happened?" said Tomoyo as I helped Syaoran get up.
"I don't know… we were just going to his locker… and something exploded at him…!" said Rika.
"Crap… this isn't good," I said examining his face. There were small shards of glass stuck on his left upper cheek.
"Let's go to the nurse's office."
He didn't object and he, Rika, and I went immediately to the nurse's office while the rest began to clean up the blood on the floor. The nurse was busy taking care of some other student so she gave us a first aid kit.
"Ow…!" said Syaoran as I pulled a shard out with my fingers.
"Hold still, dummy!" I said. I looked through the box and found a pair of tweezers.
"Rika-chan, can you bring some napkins?" I said as I carefully took out another shard from his face.
Rika immediately brought some to me.
"Excuse me, where is his emergency card?" said the nurse.
"You don't need it," growled Syaoran.
"I-I'll go find it!" said Rika suddenly. "Sakura-chan, you can take care of him, I'm not good with blood…"
I had the feeling that Rika was getting reminded about Sai again.
"Oh… okay," I said.
"I'll be right back," she said and she quickly ran out with the nurse. I looked back at Syaoran and started to pluck out more of the glass.
"One more…" I said as I plucked the last shard.
"Agh…!" said Syaoran as I dampened some of the napkins with water.
"Here…" I said. I wiped off the blood from his face. "What happened?"
"I dunno," he said. "Some bottle exploded at my face… probably another prank."
"Like the incident with Sai?" I said as I took out the alcohol and medicine.
"Yeah…" he said. "Gah…!"
I had started to put some alcohol on his wound.
"Th-That hurts…!" said Syaoran as he started to flinch every time I dabbed the alcohol on his upper cheek.
"What did you expect?" I said as I finished putting medicine as well.
Indistinctively, I blew softly on his cut. "Better?" I said.
"Uh…yeah…" he said.
I took a patch and slowly placed it over the cut. "There…" I said as I softly smothered the patch so that it stuck to his face.
"Thanks…" he said.
"Yeah, no problem," I said. "You sort of scared me there Syaoran. There was a lot of blood, you know—ah!"
I tried to pick up the shards, but one of them cut my finger.
"Ah great—" I said dully as I saw that it began to bleed.
Syaoran suddenly took my hand and placed my finger in his mouth. I stared.
WH-WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING?
"S-S-Syaoran—?!" I gasped.
He ignored me as he looked at my finger and continued to put it in his mouth as he looked for a band aid in the kit with his other hand. Then he quickly took out the wrapper with one hand and slowly wrapped the band aid on my cut.
"There…" he said. But he didn't let go of my hand.
"Th-Thanks…" I stammered. He stared at me intently.
"Sakura… I—" he started.
"Li-kun," said a voice. "Sakura-chan."
We turned and saw Rika smile at us nervously.
I pulled my hand from his grasp and quickly stood up. "Um… I better go now," I said.
"Hey—" started Syaoran.
"See you Rika-chan," I interrupted. "Take care Syaoran."
I dashed outside of the office and walked as I reached the hall.
Syaoran… what's going on? You shouldn't be doing those kinds of things… when you're with Rika…
What is he trying to pull?
To be continued…
Ooh, does Syaoran really like Rika? Are they really going out? What's up with Sakura too (she's getting a lot of mixed emotions, ehehe...)? Now you guys would ask, "Why Rika?" Well, she is one of my favourite characters in the CCS series ahahaha... I wanted to do a chappie about her. Well, until next time! Please review!