Chapter 11: Saving the Day

The third day began taking its toll on Tomoyo's temper.

"I don't know what has gotten into to you but I don't like it at all. You nearly caused a scandal and almost jeopardized our image!" Tomoyo said in a loud voice. They were already dressed, waiting for the word to get ready. In a few minutes.

"I'm sorry Tomoyo. I really couldn't help worry a lot. I didn't realize-"

"That you were already making a fool of yourself. Because of our presentation? I appreciate your concern and all-out support, but this is getting ridiculous! Why are you so worried? It was as if someone switched the designs!" Tomoyo threw up her hands in disbelief. "I can't imagine how incredible I sounded!"

"That's it! Oh my god! Tomoyo that's it!" Aichi exclaimed in surprised. "I'm so sorry I forgot to tell you about it!"

"About what?"

"When I first checked the clothes, you called me up right? When I was walking towards the office, I bumped into a girl who I think was also in charge of checking the clothes for their group," Aichi narrated slowly, analyzing every bit of information. "We accidentally dropped our files and somehow, we were hasty and careless enough not to check if we had the right files. When I walked away, I saw a design on the floor. I scanned my portfolio but it was complete. So I gave the paper to girl and went ahead," she finished. "What do you think?" she asked Tomoyo, who was staring at her in complete shock. She looked at her friend in worry.

"I just had this strong sense of foreboding. Let me see the clear book," she told Aichi.

They leafed through the designs and gasped as they saw the design with the signature of Eriol Hiiragizawa written neatly on the lower-right corner of the paper.

"Oh no! My god Aichi, your right!" Tomoyo exclaimed in total agitation. "But where is their stack room located? We have to find it and undo the switch!"

"That I don't know. Let's ask the workers," Aichi decided.

The door suddenly burst open as Sakura rushed into the room. "An emergency replacement is needed Tomoyo! One of the models came down with a fever. And the show is about to start in thirty minutes. Aichi, you have to go down already."

"What are we going to do!" Aichi said. Sakura raised a brow. Tomoyo explained it to her and Sakura gasped in total shock.

"I really don't know where their stack room is, sorry," she said with complete regret.

"I know! I'll be the replacement, I'll try to ask around, and when I find the room, I'll undo the switch!" Tomoyo beamed.

"Good! Now let's go!"

++++++

"I hope you know what you are doing Tomoyo," Sakura said as they neared the dressing room.

"Of course I know what I'm doing. Besides what could go wrong?" Tomoyo was completely optimistic.

"Ms. Sakura! You have to get dressed now!" the dresser said.

"Right! Miyo, Tomoyo would be the replacement for Nia. Tomoyo follow Miyo to your chair," Sakura said as they went in.

"You mean now?" Tomoyo asked incredulous of the situation.

"Yes! We have to get ready at once. So you see Tomoyo, being a model is really hard work," Sakura said as she sat in her chair.

Tomoyo sat down in her chair, clad in a robe as a professional stylist began working on her. After a while, she went to get her dress fitted. Even when she was the famous designer Tomoyo Daidouji, she couldn't say anything to slow the time down. Everything was happening in a blur. One minute her apparel was being adjusted. The next minute she was already fitting her shoes. When she looked at the mirror, she gasped in complete stupefaction. Oh no! This was the switched outfit! Tomoyo tried to talk to the staff but her fellow models silenced her. "The stage manager's moody today," one of them whispered.

++++++

Europe by Le Soleil.

The words were flashed upon the screen as classic music reverberated throughout the hall. Reed-like bodies walked in, modeling the ancient outfits inspired by the medieval, the renaissance, and the contemporary periods, all of them swaying to the sound of a lively, rhythmic classic orchestra. Eriol suddenly remembered if the switch had been undone. He was in near panic mode when he saw the confirmation to his greatest fear. A male model walked down the catwalk, dressed in Tomoyo's all-blue Chinese ensemble. A Mandarin style cloak covered the suit, which comprised of a royal blue Mandarin scholar's dress with slits on both sides and a pair of dark blue pants. Except that it was given a modernized, sharp, and contrasting feel to the cloak that was flowing. The crowd watched in amazement and confusion as the model walked in.

"That doesn't look like a European suit!"

"More of a Chinese feel, I'll say!"

"Let's just keep quiet. Mr. Hiragizawa should be able to explain later."

Nevertheless, all cameras flashed brightly as the man swaggered in a true English gentleman fashion swinging a staff, which looked like Eriol's sun staff. When he turned to walk back, the assembly breathed in awe as an embroidered golden sun shown brilliantly against the dark blue cape.

Sakura and Aichi clutched their chests as they took in the very magnificent garment. "It's Tomoyo's design," Sakura whispered as Aichi nodded quickly. "Then that means Eriol must have our design!"

"I know, but we shouldn't talk like this we have to wait until it's over," Aichi said.

As the European collection ended, the spectators burst into applause and gave them a standing ovation. Eriol smiled and waved while his mind was in complete frenzy. I'm going to have a heart attack.