It was going to be so difficult. Tomoyo couldn't sleep, when it was three a.m. she decided to text Eriol. 'Shouldn't you be sleeping?' 'I can't, it's too late now to try to sleep, even if I do it will be utterly impossible to wake up tomorrow. Are you busy?' 'No, do you want me to call you?' 'I'm already at the computer'. She basically spent all night talking with him until it was time for her to get ready for school. 'Good luck sunshine' Eriol smiled but Tomoyo sighed 'It will be so weird to go to school and you not being there' 'You'll be just fine' Eriol reassured 'Okay, you are right. Have a nice day, love you' 'I love you more, good luck'.
Tomoyo wanted to arrive at school earlier because she wanted see her old classroom before starting the day. She opened the door and smiled as many memories flashed through her mind 'Last year was sure lost of fun'. Tomoyo went to the back of the class and sat at Eriol's old seat. She closed her eyes and remember the way Eriol used to play with her hair, she loved that. Tomoyo slowly caressed his table and smiled as she read 'T + E = LOVE". She sighed and stood up 'I'm going to give it my best' she walked to the door and turned around, she could perfectly imagine Eriol smiling and giving her a thumbs up to encourage her.
She got into her new class, surprising Rika and Shaoran where already there. 'Hey Tomoyo!' Shaoran smiled 'you are early' she nodded 'Good morning' Tomoyo walked at the same place she would normally seat on her other room and placed her bag behind her chair and felt nostalgic that Eriol wasn't there 'I wanted to see our old room that's all' Shaoran gave her a smile knowing that she went there to remember old times. Soon every student arrived and to everybody's surprise Meiling was using the same hair style she used to wear excepts she didn't have bangs.
'Hey!' Tomoyo said amused 'this brings back so many memories' she smiled. Meiling smiled back 'We'll I wanted to see you smiling in your first day of senior year so I thought this might help. I still can't understand how I could endure so much time with piggy tails they hurt so much!' she said as she inclined her head. 'Let's give it our best' Shaoran said holding Sakura's hand she smiled too. Tomoyo felt excited to start classes, she enjoyed school so much. She felt strange since neither Souta, Shaoran or Eriol were her classmates, but she was happy she had Emiling and Sakura near too distract her. Even though she missed being with Eriol she tried not to think about him much. She arrived tired to her house and hold Senri 'how was your last first day of school?' he asked 'Long but fun'.
One month passed, then another and another, it's been 3 months since Eriol left and Tomoyo tried so hard to keep it a secret that she was suffering she over studied and stay more time at chorus, ballet and other activities instead of thinking of him, however Sakura, Meiling and Shaoran could see right through her facade they knew perfectly well that she was not okay. 'Tomoyo can you help us sew our kimonos for the festival?' said Meiling, Tomoyo lift her left eyebrow she knew how both Meiling and Sakura were pretty good sewing but instead she said 'sure, do you want to come to my house Sunday morning before the festival?' 'Excellent!' Sakura said while hopping.
Tomoyo woke up early to clean and order her threads, needles and other materials. Soon the girls arrived, Meiling with an indigo kimono and a fuchsia obi and Sakura had a floral multicolor kimono with a green obi, as Tomoyo expected their kimonos were in perfect conditions, it was an excuse for something. 'So, what is the real reason. Tell me, what do you want to talk about' she said as tied her light yellow obi over her pink kimono. Sakura sighed 'Tomoyo, we are your best friends, and you know when you are sad you can talk about it with us' Tomoyo looked at them and smiled 'I know that girls' and proceeded to fix the yellow ribbon on her hair, Meiling crossed her arms 'Look Tomoyo we all know you miss Eriol a lot, and its-' she got cut of by Tomoyo who asked if her makeup was okay 'yes, very pretty' she cleared her voice 'like I was saying, feel free to express yourself about Er-' Tomoyo interrupted her once more asking which sandals looked better, Sakura decided to take the lead now 'Tomoyo stop evading the topic, you are a smart girl. You know where we are going' Tomoyo sighed and sat at the corner her bed Meiling sat on the sofa that was in front of her bed and Sakura by Tomoyo's side. 'I am fine, really' 'Tomoyo' Meiling and Sakura said at the same time 'Eriol I love him, and I have to let him go and I know he will come back, it's really okay' she said with a half smile, Sakura took her hand 'it's okay to miss him Tomoyo, I missed Shaoran for four years and your were always there for me, it's my turn now' Tomoyo's eyes started to get watery but she kept smiling 'I do miss him but I am fine trust me'. Meiling stood up in front of Tomoyo and said 'Tomoyo once, long ago you stayed up all night just caressing my hair as I cried on your laps while you comforted me' Sakura blinked rapidly since she didn't know that story in particular 'I plan to do the same, for the rest of the year until Eriol comes if necessary' Tomoyo threw herself to Meiling hugging her knees, crying desperately 'I MISS HIM, I MISS HIM SO MUCH!' she exhaled 'I wish he never went back to England!'. Sakura held Tomoyo's head near her chest and stroked her hair 'it's okay Tomoyo, it's okay to miss him' she kissed her forehead 'it's okay to be selfish and wishing he never left'.
After an hour Tomoyo finally calmed down and laughed as she said 'is my makeup okay?' Meiling smiled 'no, let us pamper you today'. Meiling started to brush her long her to make a traditional bun and decorated with the yellow ribbon. Sakura cleared Tomoyo's ruined makeup and fixed it again. Tomoyo smiled as she looked as herself, it's been a long time since she looked this dashing, she felt unnecessary to do her hair and makeup since Eriol wasn't around, then she thought to herself "I'll always look my best not only for Eriol but for me too" she smiled and hugged her best friends 'thank you girls, you are the best'.
At the festival everybody was having a great time Sakura was dragging Shaoran all over the place, he didn't mind. Meiling and Souta were doing a lover's challenge, it was like a rally all over the school. Chiharu and Naoko with their boyfriends looking around the campus, while Rika with her husband enjoying a bento. Tomoyo stayed at the park looking at the couples but remembering times with Eriol, something she restrain herself from doing, she shed one tear but it was a tear of pure happiness, she closed her eyes and placed her hand on top of her heart "Even when he is not here, he can still make my heart beat faster and slower at the same time". 'TOMOYO!' she opened her eyes and saw that Sakura, Meiling, Shaoran and Souta were waving at her 'lets go and watch the sunset together!' Sakura said and Tomoyo smiled as she ran towards them.
They sat on the grass looking at the sky waiting for the sunset, it was so peaceful, the cherry blossoms dancing with the wind and distant laughter of people made the place feel like heaven until the quiet environment was interrupted by Tomoyo's iphone, her eyes grow bigger she answer the video call 'Dearest!' she said ever so happy "I hope I called just in time to watch the sunset with you" Tomoyo smiled widely 'Yes! Yes you did! Guys Eriol's on the phone!' 'Hey man!' 'ERIOL' 'Hello there!' 'Hey!' Shaoran, Sakura, Meiling and Souta said as they stood up to ask him how he was. 'The sun is setting!' Sakura pointed out as she placed her head on Shaoran's chest, he placed an arm around her waist and his head on top of hers waiting for the sunset. Meiling sat and Souta placed his head on her lap as they watch the sky too.
Tomoyo walked towards the sunset still talking with Eriol "You seemed surprised by my call" 'I was, I honestly didn't expected you to call' "I did promise to watch every sunset with you during the spring festivals didn't I?" Tomoyo smiled, she looked at her best friends and then the screen of her phone where the image of her beloved was. Her heart was filled with warmth 'Look at it Eriol' Tomoyo verified that he could see the beautiful pink and orange sky "Japan's sunsets are really something" 'indeed' Tomoyo said 'Eriol, remember that song we wrote together? The one that had a bittersweet tune to it?' "I do, why?" 'I think I came up with a name for it' "tell me" 'I'll tell you when you return, you'll be playing the piano while I sing in front of a sunset like this one' Eriol smiled "I'll be looking foward to it".