Chapter 2: Questioning How Much Time had passed
Every student was so surprised when Eriol walked in to introduce himself. "Good morning. I'm Hiiragizawa Eriol and I'm glad to be back here." He went to his seat, behind an ebony-haired girl who didn't turn to greet him.
He was fixing his things in his locker when a suspicious Li came up to him. "What are you doing here? Are you back to harm Sakura again?" Eriol chuckled. "No. I came back for another matter." Li raised an eyebrow. "And that is?" "More of a personal matter. You really shouldn't be nosing around too much, Li. I told you, it's not about the cards or anything for that matter." Li exhaled quietly. "I just thought it was about her." Eriol smiled good-naturedly. "It's okay. I know that when it comes to Sakura, you'd worry a lot." "It's not about Sakura. It's about Tomoyo." The English boy's expression changed to one of somber reminiscing. "You thought I was coming back for her?" "Yes. But clearly, your tone says it's obvious that it's not about us or her." Li turned to leave. Eriol was still standing there when the past came hurtling back to him. Memories of past uncertainties, unanswered questions, and shattered hope smacked into his head. "How is she?" Li stopped but didn't turn. "She was quite okay until you showed up. Of all the schools you had to go to, this one really had to be it, huh? Why can't you just study somewhere else?" "It's important that I study here. Besides, my matters are to be settled here. It's about Kaho's marriage," he finally admitted. Li had to restrain himself from grabbing Eriol by his collar. But instead, he merely turned to face him. "Then do everything you can to settle it quickly and leave at once. My friend is hurting too much to stand another second with you." Upon hearing his statement, Eriol felt his heart burn with shame. "You know I didn't mean to leave her so suddenly." Li nodded in understanding. "But you should've told her before you left. Or at least dropped a call or write her. But you didn't. Tomoyo waited every day and night to hear a word from you. But after two years, she was convinced that you didn't care for her feelings and went on with her life. She's changed, if you must know. She doesn't spy on us anymore and she's thrown every single memorabilia that reminds her of you. And she's become more matured, unlike before when she was still the cheerful, in-love girl that recorded every date Sakura and I had." Eriol listened to the story as moroseness flooded his whole being. Guilt started to build up in his heart as an image of Tomoyo crying flashed through his mind. He looked away. "I didn't know." "But now you do. And the more you should stay away from her."
The next day, Tomoyo was early to school. She took her things and went to her classroom. She was turning around the corner when she bumped into someone. "Sorry about that, I wasn't looking," she apologized then walked past the person. "Tomoyo wait!" She froze. Nothing more could've done enough to ruin her day than hearing the voice that haunted her dreams from the start. Recollections started rushing through her brain so fast that she felt faint. She stumbled in her next step as she tried to walk away from him. Eriol swiftly caught her shoulders and helped her stand up. "Thanks for your help. But I can make it to class myself," she said monotonously, feebly struggling. But she was so weak from his nearness that she fell again. And Eriol held on to her even more. "I'll take you to class. We're in the same room anyway," he replied as he walked carefully while aiding Tomoyo. The sun was rising and the corridors they were walking along started to brighten. But it wasn't the same for Tomoyo. Her mind was in darkness. She didn't feel warmth from her surroundings but cold from shivers that raced through her body. Her heart was beating fast as locked feelings arose to trouble her once again. And the more she tried to loosen from his hold, the more she felt weak because of the closeness of their warm bodies. Just like before. Before everything that came to reach this day. Seven years ago. When she loved him, like forever. And thought that he would return her feelings because of the little things he did for her. That had added to the fire of her love for him. Only to be washed away when he left. Her heart then shattered to pieces as she frantically waited in vain to receive a word in hope that he would come back. She looked at him as they climbed a flight of stairs. Her heart went into pieces. Oh god, he's more handsome than ever! His blue eyes that glanced at her every now and then, as they walked, were filled with concern for her. And worry? She noticed. Sure, she wasn't feeling well and he ought to be concerned with that. But to carry her gently and to ease her out of pain was more than concern. Care? Tomoyo suddenly became wary and put up her walls. Baka! Her mind berated. See how love has made you so weak? You spent years building up this wall and it just crumbled in a few seconds just because he came back? I can't believe you're still in love with him! I'm not in love with him! She countered. I'm just infatuated with him because of his physical looks. You can't go saying he's not handsome. Your infatuation wouldn't last for long. It would eventually turn back to what caused all your grief; her mind laughed at her. That wouldn't be happening anymore, she resolved. "Tomoyo?" She automatically looked at him. They were already in the classroom, and Tomoyo was seated on her chair. "What?" "Are you feeling okay?" "Yeah." And she turned away. Eriol understood that she didn't want to speak anymore so he kept silent.
Sakura, Li, and Tomoyo were eating lunch when Sakura spoke up. "Are you feeling okay?" Tomoyo nodded wordlessly. Like she always did. "Did he do anything to you?" Li asked with clear suspicion. "Because some of our classmates who came early saw him carrying you to the classroom." She shook her head in negative. "Good. Because if he did, and he made you cry, I'd beat him to a bloody pulp." Tomoyo smiled a little in gratitude. Those two could sometimes be a bit too fussy about her. She decided to speak. "Did he say why he came back?" Sakura's eyes lowered. Li stiffened. At once Tomoyo knew that Eriol had. "Is it something about the cards?" "No," Sakura whispered. "He said it was a personal matter and nothing more," Li voiced without making a face. "Oh. Then it must be really personal because he didn't tell you." Although in some point, a little ray of hope filtered through the curtains of her dark world, lifting them open in bliss.
That afternoon, Eriol was waiting on one of the school benches. The sun was almost setting when footsteps came into hearing range. He smiled and immediately stood up to meet, "Kaho. It's nice to see you again." The woman hugged him. "You've grown the last time I saw you. I didn't have to bend over to reach you," she teased. "Thank you for your insults," he said as he rode along. "Anyway, shall we get this over with? I feel that something dreadful is coming." Kaho's brown eyes grew concerned. "Or do you mean someone?" "I cannot tell which but your assumption may be right. But really, we must finish this." But Kaho didn't follow. She sat down the bench. "I shouldn't have asked you to come. I should've gone to London instead." He sat beside her. "It's not your fault. You were too busy with the marriage preparations and I know you can't just go to London." "I must apologize to her," Kaho said sadly. Eriol hugged her. "No, I'll do the explaining."
Tomoyo's tears fell like rain as she watched the scene transpire before her. Kaho stood up and kissed Eriol on his cheek. The man hugged her and smiled before they departed. Tomoyo quickly hid behind a corner as she saw Eriol coming this way. She couldn't move a muscle as her energy was completely drained from the dejection she was feeling. Her body was slowly stiffening as she tried to stifle her cries. But too much hurt was eating her heart that a large gasp escaped from her lips. Too late. Eriol had heard. He stopped in his tracks as he turned to see Tomoyo leaning on the wall and hugging herself. "Tomoyo, I." What was he to say? That he was sorry? That he had hurt her? That he was to blame for her heartbreak and all that so-sorry crap? Tomoyo stood up, trying to balance herself as more surges of grief threatened to make her fall again. "No, it. it's okay," she managed to choke out. "I can understand without you saying anything." Eriol watched her sadly as her form vanished from his sight when she turned around another corner. "It's not okay. You didn't understand," he breathed to the soft breeze.
Every student was so surprised when Eriol walked in to introduce himself. "Good morning. I'm Hiiragizawa Eriol and I'm glad to be back here." He went to his seat, behind an ebony-haired girl who didn't turn to greet him.
He was fixing his things in his locker when a suspicious Li came up to him. "What are you doing here? Are you back to harm Sakura again?" Eriol chuckled. "No. I came back for another matter." Li raised an eyebrow. "And that is?" "More of a personal matter. You really shouldn't be nosing around too much, Li. I told you, it's not about the cards or anything for that matter." Li exhaled quietly. "I just thought it was about her." Eriol smiled good-naturedly. "It's okay. I know that when it comes to Sakura, you'd worry a lot." "It's not about Sakura. It's about Tomoyo." The English boy's expression changed to one of somber reminiscing. "You thought I was coming back for her?" "Yes. But clearly, your tone says it's obvious that it's not about us or her." Li turned to leave. Eriol was still standing there when the past came hurtling back to him. Memories of past uncertainties, unanswered questions, and shattered hope smacked into his head. "How is she?" Li stopped but didn't turn. "She was quite okay until you showed up. Of all the schools you had to go to, this one really had to be it, huh? Why can't you just study somewhere else?" "It's important that I study here. Besides, my matters are to be settled here. It's about Kaho's marriage," he finally admitted. Li had to restrain himself from grabbing Eriol by his collar. But instead, he merely turned to face him. "Then do everything you can to settle it quickly and leave at once. My friend is hurting too much to stand another second with you." Upon hearing his statement, Eriol felt his heart burn with shame. "You know I didn't mean to leave her so suddenly." Li nodded in understanding. "But you should've told her before you left. Or at least dropped a call or write her. But you didn't. Tomoyo waited every day and night to hear a word from you. But after two years, she was convinced that you didn't care for her feelings and went on with her life. She's changed, if you must know. She doesn't spy on us anymore and she's thrown every single memorabilia that reminds her of you. And she's become more matured, unlike before when she was still the cheerful, in-love girl that recorded every date Sakura and I had." Eriol listened to the story as moroseness flooded his whole being. Guilt started to build up in his heart as an image of Tomoyo crying flashed through his mind. He looked away. "I didn't know." "But now you do. And the more you should stay away from her."
The next day, Tomoyo was early to school. She took her things and went to her classroom. She was turning around the corner when she bumped into someone. "Sorry about that, I wasn't looking," she apologized then walked past the person. "Tomoyo wait!" She froze. Nothing more could've done enough to ruin her day than hearing the voice that haunted her dreams from the start. Recollections started rushing through her brain so fast that she felt faint. She stumbled in her next step as she tried to walk away from him. Eriol swiftly caught her shoulders and helped her stand up. "Thanks for your help. But I can make it to class myself," she said monotonously, feebly struggling. But she was so weak from his nearness that she fell again. And Eriol held on to her even more. "I'll take you to class. We're in the same room anyway," he replied as he walked carefully while aiding Tomoyo. The sun was rising and the corridors they were walking along started to brighten. But it wasn't the same for Tomoyo. Her mind was in darkness. She didn't feel warmth from her surroundings but cold from shivers that raced through her body. Her heart was beating fast as locked feelings arose to trouble her once again. And the more she tried to loosen from his hold, the more she felt weak because of the closeness of their warm bodies. Just like before. Before everything that came to reach this day. Seven years ago. When she loved him, like forever. And thought that he would return her feelings because of the little things he did for her. That had added to the fire of her love for him. Only to be washed away when he left. Her heart then shattered to pieces as she frantically waited in vain to receive a word in hope that he would come back. She looked at him as they climbed a flight of stairs. Her heart went into pieces. Oh god, he's more handsome than ever! His blue eyes that glanced at her every now and then, as they walked, were filled with concern for her. And worry? She noticed. Sure, she wasn't feeling well and he ought to be concerned with that. But to carry her gently and to ease her out of pain was more than concern. Care? Tomoyo suddenly became wary and put up her walls. Baka! Her mind berated. See how love has made you so weak? You spent years building up this wall and it just crumbled in a few seconds just because he came back? I can't believe you're still in love with him! I'm not in love with him! She countered. I'm just infatuated with him because of his physical looks. You can't go saying he's not handsome. Your infatuation wouldn't last for long. It would eventually turn back to what caused all your grief; her mind laughed at her. That wouldn't be happening anymore, she resolved. "Tomoyo?" She automatically looked at him. They were already in the classroom, and Tomoyo was seated on her chair. "What?" "Are you feeling okay?" "Yeah." And she turned away. Eriol understood that she didn't want to speak anymore so he kept silent.
Sakura, Li, and Tomoyo were eating lunch when Sakura spoke up. "Are you feeling okay?" Tomoyo nodded wordlessly. Like she always did. "Did he do anything to you?" Li asked with clear suspicion. "Because some of our classmates who came early saw him carrying you to the classroom." She shook her head in negative. "Good. Because if he did, and he made you cry, I'd beat him to a bloody pulp." Tomoyo smiled a little in gratitude. Those two could sometimes be a bit too fussy about her. She decided to speak. "Did he say why he came back?" Sakura's eyes lowered. Li stiffened. At once Tomoyo knew that Eriol had. "Is it something about the cards?" "No," Sakura whispered. "He said it was a personal matter and nothing more," Li voiced without making a face. "Oh. Then it must be really personal because he didn't tell you." Although in some point, a little ray of hope filtered through the curtains of her dark world, lifting them open in bliss.
That afternoon, Eriol was waiting on one of the school benches. The sun was almost setting when footsteps came into hearing range. He smiled and immediately stood up to meet, "Kaho. It's nice to see you again." The woman hugged him. "You've grown the last time I saw you. I didn't have to bend over to reach you," she teased. "Thank you for your insults," he said as he rode along. "Anyway, shall we get this over with? I feel that something dreadful is coming." Kaho's brown eyes grew concerned. "Or do you mean someone?" "I cannot tell which but your assumption may be right. But really, we must finish this." But Kaho didn't follow. She sat down the bench. "I shouldn't have asked you to come. I should've gone to London instead." He sat beside her. "It's not your fault. You were too busy with the marriage preparations and I know you can't just go to London." "I must apologize to her," Kaho said sadly. Eriol hugged her. "No, I'll do the explaining."
Tomoyo's tears fell like rain as she watched the scene transpire before her. Kaho stood up and kissed Eriol on his cheek. The man hugged her and smiled before they departed. Tomoyo quickly hid behind a corner as she saw Eriol coming this way. She couldn't move a muscle as her energy was completely drained from the dejection she was feeling. Her body was slowly stiffening as she tried to stifle her cries. But too much hurt was eating her heart that a large gasp escaped from her lips. Too late. Eriol had heard. He stopped in his tracks as he turned to see Tomoyo leaning on the wall and hugging herself. "Tomoyo, I." What was he to say? That he was sorry? That he had hurt her? That he was to blame for her heartbreak and all that so-sorry crap? Tomoyo stood up, trying to balance herself as more surges of grief threatened to make her fall again. "No, it. it's okay," she managed to choke out. "I can understand without you saying anything." Eriol watched her sadly as her form vanished from his sight when she turned around another corner. "It's not okay. You didn't understand," he breathed to the soft breeze.