Tanjoubi Omedetou, Eriol – kun. : A CCS fic

by: nikki hiiragizawa sailorsjini@yahoo.com

Genre: drama/romance/E and T pairing

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I know you already know this, but in case you don't know yet, I want to let you know that I know CCS is not mine. The wonderful CLAMP ladies own them. Please I do not need anyone suing me… The song "Scarlet", on the other hand, was taken from the series Ayashi no Ceres. It was the opening song and coincidentally, Tomoyo's seiyuu Iwao Junko sang this song.

Nikki: Whew! I just made a fic in time for Eriol's birthday. This is for all you growing E/T fans. If you are other than pleased to see E/T pairings, you better not read this. Anyway, too much talking has got to stop. On with the fic!

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Chapter 3: Hai iro no Konran (Gray Confusion)

The Student Council secretary ushered Eriol into the small but neat office. She quietly laid down the folders she was holding on a nearby shelf. "Will you be alright here, Hiiragizawa – san?" she asked nervously, tugging her tie as she spoke.

Eriol scrutinized the room. This office is provided for the Council's Public Relations Officer. Recently, Eriol had been elected into that position. The old owner had moved out and Eriol's things were transferred in. "Aa," he answered. The room was well – furnished, with its own computer, printer and internet access. However, there's something unusual in it. Something familiar. "Anou, Matsuri – san," he called after the secretary. "May I ask who used this room before me?"

The secretary hurriedly answered. "Oh, stupid of me I forgot. You are a sophomore transferee are you? You have to ask her anyway for the SOP's and the responsibilities that you have to do. Daidouji Tomoyo – san won the elections last year, and she sat in this very office. If you have any questions about your job you can ask her." The secretary quickly bowed and left Eriol.

Eriol lightly tapped the desk. So that's why he felt familiarization in him when he entered. He knows Tomoyo's manners and ways and features too much it is slowly killing him. He never realized that he sighed loudly.

"Any problem with my room, Hiiragizawa – san?" a familiar voice asked. The startled boy looked towards the door.

"Oh, you." Tomoyo entered the room and sat on the chair facing Eriol's table.

"I just came to get some things of mine out of here and transfer it to the treasurer's room," she hastily explained. She stood up again and opened a file drawer. She half – heartedly scanned through the files and pulled out what she needs. "Please fell free to use anything you like, here. I would be happy to know that my things are still useful even after I leave." She moved from one drawer to another but did not meet Eriol's gaze even once.

Eriol, on the other hand, watched her every move. "You know I know you inside and out, Tomoyo," he sneered. "Do you really have to use that 'concerned' tone of yours?"

The girl stopped rifling through drawers and crossed her arms over her chest. "I was just being formally nice, Eriol." Her purple eyes now studied Eriol's face. "I wouldn't want to be called impolite by the new PRO."

"Kuso, have you really went this far for popularity?" Eriol stood up and held Tomoyo's shoulders so she is facing him. "What have you done to yourself? I never even knew you'd fall for a basketball star…"

Tomoyo shrugged Eriol's hands off her and glared at him. "I do not know what you mean by what I have with myself! People change, Eriol, and no one can expect anything to stay the same. And about Hikaru, I fell for him. So much for your expectations." She moved away and leaned against the table. "Mainly I love him because he's so unlike you."

"You really are sleek, aren't you?" Eriol said. "You even joined clubs that you have no interest for when we were in high school. You do those jobs you hate doing. You greet everyone even if you hate them." Smirking, he added. "I do not envy Hasegawa-san. He will be living a life of hell from now on."

The girl turned and cast on him a warning glare. "You have no idea how much I went through so you have no right to criticize my activities whatsoever!" She picked up the folders she left lying on the desk. "And if you are planning to take my success from me, well you have it on the wrong track, sweetheart. I have to make my dreams come true, and nothing can stop me." She inched towards the door. "As for Hikaru, I love him and that's what matters, right?"

"You love him? I can't believe I am hearing that from a very practical girl." Eriol circled the table and faced her. "I need to fulfill my dreams, too. But if you want competition, then so be it."

Tomoyo's eyes narrowed and she opened the door. Just then, the president of the Council walked by. "Oh hi," the president said. "I was just checking your new offices." He smiled and nodded to Eriol while he gave Tomoyo an extra sweet smile. "Everything alright?"

"Oh, Kurashige – san," Tomoyo's dark face a while ago was immediately replaced by a bright, cheerful mask, much to Eriol's amusement. "I was just checking on Hiiragizawa – san, too. After all, he's going to work in my former office." She threw a fake smile at Eriol and proceeded outside. "I shall be seeing you, Hiiragizawa – san," she added before gracefully walking off.

Kurashige sighed. "That's one cute girl. I wish she'd break up with Hasegawa soon." Eriol's fists involuntarily clenched. "So," the president continued. "I believe I should be giving you your orientation?"

"Hai," Eriol replied, his eyes throwing fire towards Kurashige.

~*~

"Tomoyo-chan had been different since that incident," Syaoran quietly said. He and Eriol walked towards the soccer field. Syaoran had decided to join the soccer team (because Sakura complained about Eriol being very good a player and all and him not) and Eriol briefed him about the basics. As expected, the course of the subject changed to a much more interesting one: Tomoyo.

Eriol did not readily look at Syaoran. Instead, he let his eyes hover towards the field. "What do you mean?" he finally asked.

"Well, let's just say her behavior became entirely opposite of before. Have I told you she never uses her video camera anymore? She also had become very sophisticated; it's almost hard to reach her. Luckily, her affections for Sakura and her friendship with our other friends did not change." Clow's descendant kicked a pebble and sent it flying to an empty bin.

"She and Hasegawa…do you…well…"

Syaoran looked at Eriol and shrugged. "We even heard about their relationship until it was too late. She didn't tell us about your break – up with each other. And after some time, we were just shocked to see her with another boy… a senior college guy." They reached the locker room and Eriol opened the door for him. "Anyway, Hikaru's a nice guy. You need not worry about Tomoyo-chan's welfare. However, I still think she's better of with you. Not that I am meddling." Syaoran entered the locker room while Eriol followed him inside without another word.

~*~

"Sumimasen1. I'd like to make some announcements." Eriol graciously bowed to the professor inside the classroom.

"Ah, you must be the new PRO," the teacher said. "Daidouji – san had been doing that, too. Right Daidouji?"

It was Tomoyo's class. Tomoyo sat frozen on her seat, but she heard the teacher speak, she immediately smiled and nodded.

Eriol did not even look at her. Tomoyo fumed. Why can't he even pay me a glance?! Does he think he's that good already? She did not pay attention to Eriol's announcement and sulked silently. As he bowed to the class, murmurs from the girls had already became obvious.

"Now, now, minna2," the teacher said. "You can flirt with Hiiragizawa – san later on. Back to our discussion." Eriol thanked the teacher and started to go out, but a naughty thought hit him. He turned, fixing his eyes squarely on Tomoyo. And then he smiled and winked.

Tomoyo was obviously bewildered as she did not give a reply. Her classmates were already teasing her as Eriol left the room.

Ha, ha…gomen3 Tomoyo-sama…With a smirk, Eriol hurriedly went back to his own class.

~*~

Eriol was facing a very angry Tomoyo. They had met paths again when the Council committee called for a meeting. "You seem to be in a foul mood, Daidouji – san?" Eriol teased as he laid a hand on her shoulder.

Tomoyo looked as if she could bite Eriol's head off. "You did it on purpose, didn't you?"

"What did I do?"

Tomoyo pulled out a chair and slumped on it. "About the event in the classroom, damn it! You know very well I'll be teased with what you did!"

Eriol sat beside her. "I was just being kind. After all, we had something special before, right?"

Tomoyo could hardly believe this was happening. "You monster! I have a boyfriend and you have a girlfriend. This will be a catastrophe to our relationship if you keep doing this!" She glanced around to see if anybody was overhearing their conversation.

"I have no problem, Kaho's not studying in this school." Eriol stood up and leaned on Tomoyo's backrest. "But I'll have problems if my sweetheart is studying in my school, right?" he whispered on Tomoyo's ear as he leaned down.

"What…What are you planning?" Tomoyo asked. Her composure had finally disappeared.

Eriol smiled his ever-famous smile. "Nothing really. Although, I am having quite a difficulty doing all these jobs of mine by myself." He gave Tomoyo a meaningful look.

"You are blackmailing me," Tomoyo said matter-of-factly. "And there is no way I will succumb to you."

"Really?" I have to make Tomoyo out of my way as soon as possible. Even if I have to play with deception and fire, I will. If I become best in this school, I can easily win people's hearts, and then…I'll prove to everyone I can live on my own and make Tomoyo realize what a loss she is now having. "We have to play games now, right?" He faced Tomoyo's chair and prevented her from standing up.

"Will you let me go?" Tomoyo squirmed to get out of his hold but was unsuccessful. "I do not know why you are doing this, but you better stop this!" She pushed him forcefully and Eriol ended up sitting on another chair.

"You know very well why I am doing this, Tomoyo," he said. "I am just a very concerned friend."

"Why you…" Tomoyo prepared to slap him when they heard footsteps coming. As swift as a snake capturing its prey, Eriol caught Tomoyo's arm and kissed her.

Tomoyo tried to struggle, but Eriol was very firm. She tried to close her eyes and resist Eriol's moves, but somehow, her body is reacting to it in a pleasurable way. Must not give way, she repeated to herself. But she can't seem to take control. Tomoyo panicked as the door opened.

"Is any officer in…oh." Eriol let Tomoyo pull away but it was too late. It was Matsuri, the secretary, with Kurashige right behind her. "Anou…we must have disturbed you…Daidouji – san." They backed away, with Kurashige glaring at Eriol, who was still sitting down.

Tomoyo then realized what the picture they saw was. Tomoyo was standing by Eriol's chair, one hand closed around the arm of the chair, the other held by Eriol. They will think I am seducing Eriol….by God… She hurried after them. ""Matte kudasai4…I…well…"

Kurashige turned and smiled at her. "We know, Daidouji – san. We won't tell anyone."

Tomoyo looked at the Council president with imploring eyes. "That is not what you think! I am…"

"I am so sorry, Kurashige – san." Eriol appeared behind her. "Tomoyo and I had been so happy to see each other for a long time, she lost control. Please do not worry about it, it is nothing personal." He bowed at Kurashige and smiled at Tomoyo – a seemingly loyal smile.

Tomoyo shook with fury. How can he say those things? He…he was the one who started it! How… Then she remembered his plan. It had been so easy to fathom. He plans to dethrone her as the best student in this school so he can prove to himself how great he is even without her. It seems pointless to in her position, so she just remained silent.

The two officers agreed and told them that the meeting was canceled. They left, eyes fleeting awkwardly towards Tomoyo. Eriol turned to her once more and smiled, a bit impishly. "Saa, shall we continue our little game?"

"You are cruel, Hiiragizawa Eriol. I was just trying to live my life properly and you are trying to ruin me!" She dropped her hands in disappointment and looked away.

Eriol felt that she was about to cry and he decided to stop teasing her. Demo, wouldn't it be great if you can undo her? a part of his mind reminded. That way, she won't become that so great as before, and you can show her how much pain she had given you since you broke up. Eriol swallowed his confusion and continued. "Are you mad? You have become sensitive real fast, Tomoyo."

Tomoyo, meanwhile, held her tears. I mustn't cry in front of him. It'll just give him much confidence and he'll annoy me again. His words don't mean anything…nothing… "I heven't become sensitive, I just pity you," she answered. "You keep trying to prove something to yourself, when you have nothing to prove anymore. Maybe men's pride are just so difficult to control that they can't take defeat by a girl." She saw Sakura and Syaoran coming towards them but she ignored them. "You are just embarrassing yourself, Eriol, besides wasting your time. You know I won't let you annoy me. If that is what you came here for, then sorry, but your plan has failed." She moved towards the other couple as she starts to leave Eriol.

But Eriol won't be stirred. He was annoyed with Tomoyo's answer. He didn't expect somebody as sweet as Tomoyo could retort with that statement. "I didn't come here to annoy you. Actually I came here to share my sympathy with your next boyfriend. He seems unlucky to be sharing his life with a scheming bitch." He suddenly regretted what he said. It seems so cruel, even if he was referring to the girl who deprived him of his dreams. Tomoyo stopped in midstep and then turned.

A slap smartly landed on Eriol's left cheek. The purple eyes he was defying a while ago are now brimming with tears. Perfect, one part of his mind said, yet another one was cursing himself for making her cry. Confused, Eriol did not retaliate. "Curse you, Eriol," she muttered. "Can't you get over the fact that I am not bothering you anymore?! Why do you have to show how great you are to me? I already know how great you are! I am trying to get my life here, and you are ruining it!" She paused, breathing heavily. Sakura laid a hand on her friend's shoulder but Tomoyo continued as if she did not notice. "You could call me like that whenever you want, but think about this, you call me scheming. You call me a bitch. Then what do you call yourself?" With an abrupt turn, Tomoyo ran towards the stairs.

"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura ran after her friend. Syaoran looked at Eriol and shrugged.

"Guess you overdid it, my ancestor," he quietly said and then left, leaving Eriol in a confused state.

"Tonde mo nai5," Eriol muttered under his breath.

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS:

Sumimasen – Excuse me. Minna – everyone Gomen – sorry (Gomen Nasai is more polite.) Matte kudasai! – Please wait! Tomde mo nai. – Terrible.

Nikki: ::sniff:; Eriol is sooooo cruel!!!! Don't worry, he does not intend to go that far. ::sniff:: Anyway, I'd like to thank those people who have read my fic. Also, I'd like to mention my dedications now before I forget:

DEDICATION:

This fic is primarily dedicated to my co-writers and friends MitsuiSelphie and mihari, for always torturing me and for their "influences". ^.^

This is also dedicated to my co-writer and good e-mail friend syaoran no hime, to my new e-mail sisters Angeli and Lea…you know who you are.

And of course to you people out there who spent so many minutes downloading the page for writing reviews, I am quite touched…hehe….

Doumo Arigatou for your support!

~nikki ^.^