Author's Notes: Thank you for the support for the past few chapters. I know that they seem to be your liking. This new chapter is no way far from them. But it does remind me of the Taiwanese soap operas, super melodramatic. I will explain more in my next note at the bottom.
Glossary of words used:
'Gomen nasai' – I'm sorry.
The roaring music from the live band surrounded the auditorium. The excitement and exhilaration was further intensified as an auburn-haired girl wearing a white kimono jostled through the crowd. "Excuse me, excuse me. I'm sorry." She muttered repetitively as she struggled to the center of the room.
"You are late." Another girl with ruby eyes exclaimed.
"Gomen nasai. I only finished the thing an hour ago." The auburn-haired girl lifted the paper bag up to face level with emphasis. "Thank goodness, I managed to complete it on time."
"Really, Sakura? Are you going to pass to him later?"
"Yes…" Sakura lowered her head, a tint of red arising. "By the way, Meiling-chan, where is Syaoran-kun?"
"He's over there with the rest of the guys." Meiling exclaimed as she reached over to adjust her pleats, which had threatened to slip.
"Oh…"
Meiling chuckled. "Wait here. I will go over and get him here."
Sakura watched Meiling disappear into a crowd of blue, green, yellow and red and she let out a sigh. She opened the paper bag to reveal a raspberry pink bear. This is my way of expressing my feelings, according to the traditions that Tomoyo-chan has told me. She pulled the bear closer to her, breathing in the fresh cotton smell.
"Well, well. Who do we have here?" A feminine yet cutting voice interrupted her frame of thought.
"Tianxin…" Sakura muttered.
* * *
Syaoran stood by the bar, his eyes concentrating on a small, velvet box. Why did I buy this? Meiling just told me that the ring will be more sincere and then I bought it just like that. If I give this to her, won't she get a shock? Am I too impulsive? A flash of light by the window caught his eye and seconds later, thunder sounded in his ear.
"There you are, Syaoran. I have been looking all over for you. So what do you think of my orange kimono?" Meiling made a gentle spin, excited over her new gown. "After all, it's made by Sakura."
"It's really nice."
"Ok, let's go."
"Go? Where?"
"Find Sakura. She's waiting for you." Meiling tugged at his arm to move him off his seat.
"Ok, ok. I'm coming." Syaoran exclaimed. From afar, thunder roared again, cutting off the noise around the room. It's going to rain soon. Syaoran sighed as he allowed himself to be pulled through the crowd be Meiling.
* * *
"Tianxin, you look great…" Sakura began. But a hard slash on her cheek cut her off. A trickle of blood emerged from the corner of her cheek. Sakura clutched her swollen cheek as she stared in utter shock at the dark-haired girl.
"Don't you call me by my name, slut."
Silence suddenly became ominous, as the other students stopped to observe the two of them.
"Why? What is this all about? I do not understand."
"You still dare to ask me why! I tell you what you have done. You are a slut, a bitch. You are Mr. Kinomoto's mistress, aren't you? You stay with him, don't you? That's what!"
"Is that true, Sakura?" Meiling demanded, as she pulled Syaoran to the front. "Is that the truth?"
"Yah, tell us the answer. Why do you share the same surname with him?" Chengtian demanded.
"Sakura looked around her, the many stern and uncomfortable eyes staring at her for an answer. She turned to Syaoran for assurance, but he just looked away.
"I am not his mistress. I do stay with him but I'm not his mistress. He is my…" Sakura stopped herself. No, no matter what, I'm not going to tell them. "I can't tell you anymore. All I can say is that I'm not his mistress."
"If you aren't his mistress, then why do you share the same surname with him? When you came, I thought your surname and his surname must be a coincidence. But I was wrong. What is you relationship with him?" Tianxin asserted.
"I just cannot say." Sakura was on the verge of tears. "Why don't you believe me?"
"Kinomoto, I have no idea on what is going on. But I want you to know that it's been great knowing you as… a friend. I wish you good luck with Mr. Kinomoto." Syaoran muttered, as he stuffed the velvet box into his pocket. "I do wish the both of you happiness."
"Syaoran-kun, even you don't trust me." Sakura stared at the bear she was holding. "Then, why do I bother in the first place?" With that, she tossed the bear onto the floor and pushed herself out of the auditorium.
"Show's over. Let's get back to
partying." Tianxin shouted. I do enjoy this a lot. Revenge is sweet.
* * *
The rain lashed against her skin, making the kimono cling onto her flesh. Tears streaked the side of the cheeks. She nearly tripped on an uneven ground. "Stupid slippers", she muttered as she kicked them away from her feet. The cold slabs cut the bottom of her soles as she continued to run aimlessly.
Why? I thought you like me for
who I am? In the end, there is no one to be trusted with. No, no one. Not even
Syaoran-kun.
The cold, heartless rain washed her out and her feet finally gave way. She fell onto the concrete slabs, and at that point did she allow herself to give way to tears.
Author's Notes (again): Thank you so much for you ongoing support. This is the end of my fanfic……not. Don't worry, I won't stop here yet. This is too lousy for an ending. But if you will like it, you can assume this to be the first ending. I can't decide whether I should have a happy ending or a sad ending in the end. Maybe I will have both.