A/N: This update is really unexpected, and, sadly, rushed. Suddenly I had this vision of finishing a short chapter today, and then voila!, here it is. LOL I am NOT making any sense. I'm so scared of inconsistencies. Help me.

Thanks to cheng and Property of Eriol for the untiring support, and to the others who have reviewed previously.

Act 26, Winter

"And now for more news: Amidst global recession and unpleasant speculations about the bankruptcy of Daidōji Kabushiki-gaisha in the past few weeks, there is happy news from the company's CEO, Sonomi Daidōji. Daidōji-sama had formally and publicly announced in a Christmas charity ball in Tokyo last night the engagement of her only daughter, Tomoyo Daidōji, to Aozora Ginkō's heir, Ichigo Nanami, who has started managing the mergers and acquisition department of the multi-billion financial company earlier this year. There was already a talk about the possible purchase of the Daidōji Kabushiki-gaisha by the formidable Aozora Group but the information remains to be in the list of speculations and this is yet to be confirmed by either party."

Raven strands slid smoothly back into place as sapphire eyes narrowed seriously into ominous slits.

Despite the plunging temperature in his room he had unbuttoned his shirt too dangerously low in suppressed frustration and annoyance, exposing a great deal of smooth alabaster flesh. He might have not even noticed his actions as it was harder to think in such dire circumstance.

Never mind the cold. He had to clear his head fast and he needed to be calm about this. There was no point in aggravating over things that were beyond any help.

Is there anything you can do? His mind retorted sardonically. It was what his best friend had asked him just a minute ago, too, and just then he could feel a headache coming.

His cell phone felt too warm against his ear.

Syaoran was still waiting in the other end of the line, knowing exactly that it was best to leave Eriol pondering on this news. He hadn't meant to say his question out loud but even he didn't know what to make out of the situation. Daidōji Tomoyo had probably more secrets than she would ever let on, dragging his stubborn friend to the pits along with her. The dark-haired pianist may have not realized this yet but he alone could envision it happening anytime soon.

Eriol sighed, drowning himself to the reminiscence of an image of her in that striking dark kimono in his mind. Those questioning amethyst orbs looked straight at his, confused for some reason but still strangely content. She smiled even more brilliantly as their song ended, her haunting, cool voice still echoing in his head hours later. She had not been chosen as a voice instructor by Terada for nothing after all.

He raised a cold hand to his eyes and released a heavy sigh.

She was truly happy last night.

Now the spell was broken and the former heiress had gone to work after lunch the next day, persistent of the fact that she could not abandon the local library at this time. The manager was preparing for the annual cleaning and she insisted to help the old superior because no other employee could. Tomoyo left the mansion in her strange clothes and gray contacts again, blissfully ignorant of her senpai's plight.

"If the Aozora Group were really to acquire Daidōji Corporation, what does that leave Sonomi Daidōji?" Eriol asked the other man. It seemed more of an afterthought than a real query but the Chinese replied just the same. His friend must know the answer to this as well.

"Nothing." His tone was as grave as the weather that late afternoon. The snow was suddenly heavy, blurring the happy memory they made last night.

Sapphire eyes aimed their stare on the fluffy Mozart doll sitting on the mahogany study table.

"I have a favor to ask of you, Li," Eriol whispered in a pitch even and unchanging as he laid a finger on Mozart's silver synthetic mane. One embarrassed amethyst-eyed woman had given him the doll as a present, sorry for her lack of creative sense. There was nothing wrong with the sewn details of its miniature clothes nor the measurements. Its child-like appearance was even amazingly soft and adorable.

"Anything, Hiiragizawa."

It was a shame that he hadn't even got anything for her. He couldn't even admit to himself that she was whom he had been thinking about while he performed that duet with Yamazaki.

"Would you find out if the bankruptcy is real and if there is going to be an acquisition soon?"

This reserved poise he was maintaining was so fake. He could be very pretentious if he wanted himself to be.

"Oi. You only need to say the magic word." A cryptic message could be heard between his friend's seemingly friendly words.

What do you intend to do now, Hiiragizawa?

With Syaoran's connections in the Japanese stock market, obtaining this information firsthand would not be impossible. However, there was still much to be discovered in this mess. Things were going to be very troublesome by then. He would rather be prepared.

"Onegaishimasu."

Eriol didn't even have to elaborate.

"Heki heki," the Chinese indulged nonchalantly, choosing not to spout a snide remark this time. But he would have rolled his amber eyes if he were only standing in front of his friend.

The dark-haired pianist leaned the back of his head against the edge of the upholstered sofa, headache neither dissipating nor developing. His brain just stopped functioning altogether.

"Arigatō."

A short second passed between the two unlikely friends, one that was rather uncomfortable because of either person's dread.

"Hiiragizawa—"

"I know. I'm stressing over these things again when I shouldn't be. It's not my business, right?" He felt surprisingly irritated and frustrated again. Syaoran was not even his enemy but he was suddenly rude at him and he was even the one asking him a favor.

What is the matter with me?

"I'm sorry, Li."

"Aa." Syaoran thankfully didn't take any offense.

"But she is going to run away because that is her nature, and who knows where I'll find her again." This silent desperation laced in his voice was pitiful in his own ears. He was becoming uncharacteristically uptight again.

The Mozart doll was mocking him with those beady, blue eyes and that cheeky smile on its downy face. There was modest blush on its cheeks, a resemblance that quite mirrored its maker's own beautiful flush.

Why am I even thinking these things?

"She will not run away again, Hiiragizawa, because you will not allow her to."

This was the reason why he was friends with Li Syaoran. The Chinese knew of his stubbornness and understood without him having to explain anything.

"Aa..."

A/N: I couldn't help but use an unknown name. I can't remember anymore CCS character that I haven't used yet. huhu But I can't stop myself from almost stripping Eriol naked. RAWR.

Quick notes:

kabushiki-gaisha - corporation

aozora - blue sky

ginkō - bank

onegaishimasu - "Please." in most polite form.

heki - "Ok."