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I. No Coincidence

"Please, reincarnation of Clow Reed, save our dying world."

Eriol Hiiragizawa awakes to the persistent sound of the alarm clock and the melodic chirping of the birds. While turning off the alarm, he recalls the strange dream he has just experienced. It was not a dream. He corrects himself.

Being a reincarnation of the most powerful sorcerer in ancient China, Clow Reed, he has memories of the sorcerer's supernatural encounters that include dreams as messages or portals to another world so this is no strange incident to him at all.

What is surprising is Tomoyo Daidouji. What was she doing there? He does not have powers at all. Her only charm is her smile...her bubbly personality...and perhaps her being resourceful.

Putting on his glasses and running his fingers through his disheveled rich black hair, he gets up from his bed and walks to the couch where he has left the ancient book he has been reading. Having that dream indicates he has unlocked the portal after cracking the code last night.

He has yet to inform his lover, Kaho Mizuki, about his upcoming journey into another world to save it. He wishes she were the one to accompany him instead. He can't risk an ordinary human's life. Moreover, Daidouji-san will just be a burden. He is no longer capable of protecting her given that he only has half of Clow Reed's original powers left. There could be possible dangerous encounters—life and death situations where choosing himself over the other is the only option. At least with Kaho she knows how to fend for herself. She also has supernatural abilities essential to his mission.

Eriol has to make a decision to leave Daidouji-san. He has to go just by himself.

"Daidouji-san, please learn this piece for your next solo."

Freshman Tomoyo Daidouji politely thanks and receives the music sheet handed out by the choir director with both hands. Having the best vocals as well as the diligence to continuously learn and grow has made her earn her spot as a soloist.

She checks the title of the piece she will be learning. Untitled. It's not unusual for traditional pieces to be untitled so she just shrugs it off then reads the notes, already humming the tune.

Before she proceeds further, the choir director has wrapped up the meeting. She keeps the piece in a clear file folder then makes her way to the gym where her bestfriend Sakura Kinomoto is practicing with her cheerleading squad.

"Sakura-chaaan~" Tomoyo excitedly waves as she sees her bestfriend already putting stuff in her duffel bag. "Are you done with cheering practice?"

"Tomo-chan! Yes, yes. I'm just fixing my stuff."

"Hey, Daidouji! Sakura..." Sakura's boyfriend, Syaoran Li, arrives as well, giving his girlfriend a kiss on the cheek without shame. The other, however, is as red as tomatoes at the public display of affection.

With a fluttering heart, Tomoyo can't help but squeal at the saccharine interaction. "Yiiieee! Getting confident now, huh, Li-kun? Make my dear Sakura-chan happy some more and I'll reward you with as much chocolate as you want."

"Fair enough, Daidouji." As if the kiss wasn't enough, Syaoran helps Sakura with her bag then scoops his arms around her waist drawing her close to him.

"Kyaa! Syao-kun, wait, wait. We need to discuss a few things," Sakura attempts to change topic but Syaoran still hasn't let go. After a few seconds, Sakura gives up and proceeds to ask, "Have you sensed something with our surroundings, Syao-kun?"

"Speaking of which, yes. But I can't quite put a finger on it yet. Maybe I should call Hiiragizawa later."

"Yes, you should. For now, let me take photos

of you since this is just too sweet to miss!" Tomoyo takes out her iPhone and snaps some pictures of the two lovebirds.

Tomoyo braids half of her silky ebony hair as she sits on her bed studying the assigned piece. While she manages to figure out most of the parts of the song, she is having difficulty fitting in some notes. She finds it sounding a bit awkward. It isn't out of tune. It is just contrary to the music theory they have been learning ever since she became a chorister.

As she finishes braiding the other half of her hair, Tomoyo finally gets the chance to really focus on the piece. After correcting some parts a few times, she sings everything from the beginning once more.

At the last note, her surroundings suddenly illuminated in bright white light flooding her whole room. She suspects it has something to do with the cards and that Sakura will come to her rescue anytime soon. However, the bright light only dissipates in showering sparkles to reveal an enchanting scenery of a meadow basked in yellow orange from the afternoon sun.

Where am I?

Usually, it's what one would ask in a situation like this but, being with her friend who has fought a number of battles with magical beings has taught her to ask a different question.

Has Sakura-chan noticed?

"Daidouji-san?"

Tomoyo gets startled at the slightly familiar male voice she's just heard. She turns to where the source of the voice has come from and, to her surprise, she finds Eriol Hiiragizawa. "Hiiragizawa-kun?!"

He has a slightly different voice now, after undergoing puberty. It sounds more manly and it somehow appeals to her.

"Yes, it's me. How did you end up here?" Eriol sounds worried now. "You're not supposed to be here."

"You're right but I don't know how I ended up here either and I definitely don't know how to get out." Tomoyo tries to explain her situation.

"...So that explains why you're still in nightgown..?"

Eep! Tomoyo's attempt to cover as much as she can with just her arms seems futile which has resulted in a chuckling Eriol.

"Please look away!" Tomoyo's cheeks have now turned beet red.

"Don't worry. I have no ill intentions-" Despite his clarification, he still receives narrowed eyes ready to kill. He continues with his reasoning, braving out the killing intent piercing through him. "Look, I need to get you out of here. You're not safe here. Let me try something."

Without further ado, Eriol closes his eyes and performs some hand gestures with a silent mantra.

A few seconds pass. Nothing.

He tries another combo.

Still nothing.

"Is nothing working?" Tomoyo sounds a bit more worried now. Usually, she doesn't panic in such situations because eventually things get resolved after a few seconds or minutes. This time, however, nothing seems to be working. As if to make matters worse, it's already the great sorcerer helping her out.

Finally, after maybe five minutes of attempts, Eriol heaves a deep sigh and, with all seriousness, looks at Tomoyo in the eyes. "I'm afraid you'll have to come with me until we can find a portal to send you back home."

"So I'm stuck here?"

"Yes."

"...Do you have some...coat or whatever I can use to cover up?"

Eriol offers his cloak. He doesn't really need it anyway, just for sorcerer fashion.

"Thanks."

"Shall we go then?"