Summary: Sakura's childhood best friend and crush, Li Syaoran is returning to Japan after 5 years. Having completed his training with the Li can in Hong Kong, he's chosen to go to a university in Japan. But would Sakura now have the courage she lacked before, to tell Syaoran how she really feels?
Sakura almost dropped the charm on the floor, at the sound of Syaoran's voice, calling her name.
"This couldn't be for real," she thought and gave herself a small pinch on her thigh. But after studying his figure, Sakura knew it couldn't be anyone else. She could recognize those deep brown eyes anywhere.
"H-- hi, S--Syaoran," Sakura stuttered and blushed, "what surprised to see you here!"
Sakura smiled but she could feel her cheeks flush ten shades of red and quickly moved aside for Syaoran to come in. As he passed her she suppressed the urge to throw herself at him and give him the hug she's wanted to since the day he left for Hong Kong.
"Please sit, sorry if it's not very welcoming, I just moved in myself," Sakura explained.
"It's fine, don't worry."
"What a surprise to see you, how did you find me Syaoran?"
"It was more of a surprised for me to see you," he said as he sat down on the vacant bed, "this was my assigned dorm. Hope you don't mind Sakura, having to share a room with me."
"Of course not, I'd be glad to have you as company! We have five years to catch up on," Sakura chirped.
Syaoran smiled his rare smile that sent shivers up Sakura's spine and she felt herself melt. "And after five years, I still find myself attracted to you. Perhaps even more than before."
She quickly looked away, realizing she's been staring at him.
"Would all new students please come down to the auditorium," the PA boomed on, and both Sakura and Syaoran jumped, "I repeat, would all new students of K.U. please come down to the auditorium immediately. Thank you."
"I guess we have to wait until after the assembly to fill each other in on our past years," Sakura suggested and headed towards the door. In away, she still couldn't believe he was there standing in her room and in another, she wished this was only a dream.
They didn't say a single word to each other until they got to the auditorium.
"How about we sit over there," Syaoran pointed at two empty seats, somewhere near the center row. Without Sakura's answer, he took her hand and led her up with him.
Sakura felt even more awkward and quickly sat down next to Syaoran, after he dropped her hand.
Still deep in her thoughts, she hardly noticed when a gentleman beside her put out his hand out to greet her.
"Eriol Hiragizawa."
It took Sakura awhile to realize he had meant for her to shake his hand. She turned to the blue-eyed stranger and politely introduced herself, "Nice to meet you, I'm Sakura Kinomoto."
"Hi," Eriol nodded and sat back. He had a sophisticated aura, not stuck up, but rather mature. The glasses he wore gave exactly what was needed of a finishing touch.
"This is very boring isn't it?" Eriol began to say.
"Extremely..." Sakura rolled her eyes in full approval. She was delighted at how easy he was to talk to, "I'd hate to think of how class is going to be like."
"It can't be too bad, you have your boyfriend here with you," Eriol nudged Sakura in the direction of Syaoran.
Sakura hesitated and blushed, "We're just good friends."
"Oh, sorry... Well what's your major here?" Eriol whispered over curiously.
"Literature A," Sakura answered and turned to ask, "Which course are you taking?"
"I'm taking Literature A too! We might be in the same class."
The two smiled at each other, both glad to have made a new friend.
Sakura then turned back and stared at Syaoran. " Boyfriend? I wish. I don't even know what Syaoran's taking at K.U.," she studied the stern expression he always wore. Syaoran was still focused on the speaker up front. Sakura wondered if he was actually listening and if he were actually interested in what they were saying.
"Training with the elders must have really built character," giving out a yawn, she began to fight battles with her eyelids. Slowly the words became only a soft murmur as Sakura drifted off into a sound sleep. She didn't even realize as she naturally leaned onto Syaoran's shoulder.
If it weren't for the thunderous clap in the auditorium for the conclusion of the final speech, Sakura would have still laid asleep. She blinking twice, and bolted upright.
"You're awake. The assembly ended right on time for dinner. Are you hungry? Let me take you out."
Now Sakura was fully awake, she couldn't believe she'd fallen asleep on Syaoran's shoulder.
"How many embarrassments must I suffer in one day," she thought, "and did he just invite me out for dinner?"
Sakura followed Syaoran out of the auditorium and blindly tagged along as he walked out of the school.
"All he asked was to take me out for dinner. It's a common thing to do between friends, especially if we haven't seen each other for a long time. We're adults now, things are different, don't assume anything silly. Tomoyo often takes you out for food too," Sakured questioned herself silently, but she knew this wasn't the same.
Outside, the sun was just setting and a golden-red outlined the city-sky. Sakura watched as Syaoran waved down a taxi and opened the door for her, before getting on himself.
"'Hippari Teahouse' please," Syaoran informed their destination to the driver then turned to Sakura, "you liked the rice omelets and noodles from there, didn't you?"
With a nod, Sakura's heart filled with satisfaction and thought, "It's been five years and he still remembers."
They both stayed quiet for the rest of the trip, looking as if they had a great deal on their mind. When they finally arrived at 'Hippari Teahouse,' Sakura and Syaoran were startled. The ride seemed to have gone very quick.
Syaoran opened the car door for Sakura the same courteous way he had for her to get on. They both walked in the bustling restaurant side-by-side. The two stood still, admired their surrounding. Both Sakura and Syaoran haven't been there ever since childhood. It was the place where they spent all their allowance money on, the foods here were great. It wasn't very fancy but it was an extremely popular dine-in and consumed customers of all ages.
"A seat for two please," Syaoran told the waiter as he brought them to a small table in a corner. He then left their side, after dropping off the menu.
"Sakura, there's more to why I've returned to Japan. I didn't feel quite right explaining it in the letter, it was something I wanted to say face-to-face," Syaoran said as he sat down.
"Oh, what is it?" Sakura was eager to hear. She's known Syaoran long enough to know when he was being serious... Or at least, more so than usual.
"My mother has fallen very ill just last month and the doctors have told us that she only had a maximum of two years to live."
Sakura felt an ache in her heart. She wasn't expecting this. She's known Syaoran's mother to be a lively, healthy and inspiring woman. But her, dying? Impossible. The pain Syaoran must have endured, now why isn't he by her side? What was Syaoran doing all the way in Japan at such a critical time? That was one thing Sakura couldn't understand and got more confused each second she spent trying to figure it out.
Syaoran saw the lost expression on his friend's face and quickly explained, "She's never wanted much but her last wish is to watch me get married. That's why I really came to Japan, Sakura. It was to look for you. That's why I could hardly believe my luck when you opened the door at the dormitory. The thing is Sakura, I need to ask you something."
Sakura could hardly let things sink in her head that quickly. "Came here for me? Marriage? What was he getting to?" She gulped, preparing herself to what Syaoran would say next.
He was staring straight into her eyes, and with a deep voice, he spoke "Would you..."
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Author's Note: Finally on spring break! *cheers* Anyways, sorry if this chapter is bad. I woke up this morning and found myself not being able to compose something worth reading, please don't critisize too much. I spent a lot of time editing this chapter continuously. I couldn't potrait the characters quite the way I wanted to and I hope this isn't too boring. Well, review anyhow, and make me a happy girly!
