All in the Game of Love
Hello there! Can't believe your eyes eh? But it's true and it's mysterio000 back to kick ass! The reason I couldn't update for weeeeeeeks and weeeeeks was because there was a lot of work in school these days, since I'm a grade higher now and all. Weeks and weeks I would always have extra lessons after school and classes -_-" so you can see how busy I was! Ah, the pressure and stress!
Anyway, it is the Lunar New Year holidays in Singapore now so I took this chance to update the next chapter! Pardon me for the wait but I decided I just couldn't leave this chapter out in suspense for sooooo long! It ain't fair to all you beautiful pple, eh? So enjoy and RnR!!!
As always
Mysterio000
p.s. the almighty one!
*
Two days after the class camping, everybody was back with enthusiasm in Shades. So far, the preparation of the play had been going better than before, causing Ms. Kilsberg to be grinning from ear to ear more than often. After she had witnessed how Eriol and Tomoyo accomplished the same waltz scene time and time again successfully, she had never regretted choosing the couple for the play.
The days of rehearsing plays passed by quick and eventfully. There was a moment of peace for a while and even Veronica's usual disruption was not visible. Somehow, after the quarrel with her cousin, Rad, she had not been seen around Shades for quite some time.
News of the Talentime began to spread like wildfire. Banners with all kinds of names were pasted all over school, decorating the once simple and plain Shades into a colorful building. There was an air of excitement everywhere on the days nearing the Talentime.
In the end after days and days of waiting, the huge day finally arrived. Talentime contestants were all gathered in the dressing rooms with their friends, willing themselves to be the best and most outstanding among all.
"Eriol!" Sakura waved excitedly at her blue-eyed friend as she and Syaoran approached the figure standing at the corridor. The three friends met and Sakura broke the silence.
"You should have seen Tomoyo! She looks beautiful!" Sakura gushed, eyes slightly starry as she clasped her hands together in emphasis. The emerald-eyed girl had been to the dressing room with Tomoyo and had made sure the latter looked perfect before joining with Syaoran to the auditorium, where the Talentime was held.
"You're here early, pal." Syaoran winked at Eriol, who began to look away with a flustered expression. Inside, the auditorium was already packed to the brim, even though the concert was still half an hour away. The wooden stage had been set up to become more attractive. The red curtains, lacing the top, had been pulled aside to grace the entire stage. In front hung a huge sign with bold words "Shades Talentime".
"Ne, Eriol? You came here empty-handed?" Sakura frowned, eyeing his pair of hands in which he held nothing. Syaoran rolled his eyes. What a nincompoop! Didn't he learn how to bring flowers for his girl if she was on stage?
"You're damn dense, you know." Syaoran remarked crudely before pulling his girlfriend into the auditorium with him, ignoring the daggers shooting from those marine orbs.
*
"I think Tomoyo has a good chance of winning, you know." Syaoran commented to Sakura who sat beside him, but intentionally making his tone loud enough for the man who sat on his other side to hear. Syaoran's words caused Sakura to bubble up with laughter and she nodded in agreement. So far, there had been no threat of a good singer they had come across.
The first contestant was this reddish-haired lady who wore her hair up into a ponytail. She had on a red silk dress with a red scarf around her neck. She had managed to pull through a slow, jazzy song, but her vocals proved incapable of hitting the high notes fluently.
The second was a younger girl who donned a floral hat and an equally flowery dress. She had chosen to do a pop song in which high notes were sprinkled all over. Her screechy voice did nothing to make the audience not wince.
And the third to the sixth had been pretty boring. What with those outfits that didn't match and those voices that always managed to hit off-key.
Eriol Hiiragizawa sat in his chair with anticipation as he kept his gaze locked onto the stage. The lights were dimming again and it was announced that Tomoyo Daidouji was next in line.
After learning of his own feelings for her, previous days of practicing the play together had been a whole heaven to him. With hours and hours of waltzing with Tomoyo before everybody in class and having her in his embrace for days and days, he had never been happier. Nights of tossing in his bed still persisted, but only because he was missing her too dreadfully. Even he himself couldn't believe how hard he had fallen in love with her.
If only he could cook up the courage to tell her.
Which was, in other words, impossible.
"Psst," Sakura's voice interrupted his thoughts, "Tomoyo's coming."
The audience hushed as the hall began to turn into a world of pitch black. Then from the stage, a white light began to focus on a single spot.
Tomoyo Daidouji then made her presence on stage.
If she was beautiful, she was entrancing and a total angel now. Men from the audience began to gasp and ladies looked on in awe. Only a particular boy sat among the seats had his heart thumping a thousand times faster.
Damn, but she was so mesmerizing.
She was wearing this purple outfit in which her mother had hired the top tailors in town to design it especially for her. Her ivory arms were adorned with light purple wraps that spiraled all the way up to her shoulders, held securely by thin laces of black ribbons. Her short black skirt matched perfectly with her light purple top, which was sleeveless and laced with layers of white ruffles that ran all the way down to her thighs. Those brown boots she wore only showed off her lean legs. Her black tumbles of hair, let down tonight, cascaded freely down to her back, accenting her porcelain cheeks. She wore a slight touch of make-up enough to bring out the features of her beauty.
In her hand, she held the black microphone. Her lips were curled and a slow smile that seemed to hide a secret soon spread across her face. She then held up the mic to her lips, and then from the dark background, music began to play.
It started off at mid-tempo, yet the introduction melody was already tempting to begin with. It had this haunting, powerful tune that rendered the audience speechless.
Tomoyo lifted her head high and sang.
I turn on the lamp and pick up the pen
As you lay a few feet behind me, quietly dreaming
I am sending this to wherever you are
Suspended in words with the real meaning "Thank you"
As the melody began to pick up with more emotions and intensity, with her eyes closed, she raised a hand to neck level, bringing out the passion of the song.
I can see you are tired and I am sorry
I know what you've done, I know that you've fought
How little can my kindness repay back to you?
These words cannot heal your wounds
Tomoyo felt her voice reverberate across the auditorium and back as she continued to bring out the life in those simple words. Her breathtaking voice made each word distant and powerful.
Please, I shall be glad if you lend me your ear just a little bit
Then maybe you can learn to listen
All those words that I cannot just say to you
I see, your face staring right into mine
And once again I am at a loss of what to do
On my own, I pray my voice will reach you
In the night, I am finally not afraid
To do what's in my heart
The melody began to pick up, the bass building stronger. Yet her voice remained steady as she countered the higher notes easily, treading on throughout the song as she sang. The tune stepped up until it seemingly build up to a heavenly melody like a firework shattering into the night.
I want to be that nightingale
To sing to you a song whenever you are down
To bring you a smile whenever you need one
To wipe those tears of yours when you shed them
And say to you "It's alright, everything's gonna be okay"
Feeling the emotions delved within her and stirring her heart, Tomoyo lifted a hand with closed eyes to emphasize on the intensity; the passion. Regardless of the hundred pairs of eyes watching her, she could only watch those fragments of memories flooding through her mind as she sang.
I want to be that nightingale
Even without words, my hymn can still be heard
Weaving upon those shiny wings
Reaching out to your hand and holding on tight
In silence, I whisper to you "Please don't leave me"
Simple words you couldn't receive
Her eyes slowly opened, feeling her voice traveling across the distance. Yet those amethyst pools only seemed to search for one certain pair as they skimmed the sea of faces. As in disappointment, she dipped her head along with the mic in her hands, still close to her lips. The chorus came to a fading end, on cue together with her voice that had taken a sorrowful dip.
I am hiding the love as I cover them wistfully
A distance behind you, I smile
Time goes by, and it's getting harder each day
To meet you in the eye and call out your name
"Am I not good enough? How unfair of you"
The stars by the window are dimming as I speak
You are a thousand miles away and I am here
I lower my eyes and realize you couldn't hear me
Eriol Hiiragizawa sat numbed and rooted in the chair. He couldn't think. He could only focus his attention on her as she brought her right arm up freely to express the lyrics, allowing the loose material of the purple wrap to glide gently. Her voice captivated him. He was speechless.
Please, I shall be glad if you lend me your ear just a little bit
Then maybe you can learn to listen
I stand here, wishing you'd be the one before me one day
But now I am alone, the moon itself drifting away
I turn to look behind my shoulders
What is the liquid biting at the tip of my lashes?
In the night, I am finally not afraid
To do what's in my heart
Her voice weaved with the lyrics and she could almost feel the first tear threatening. To think a song could bring out such vulnerability in her. As she sang, she forgot who she was, where she was. All she knew was that there was only one man she was singing this song for, and she was praying he was somewhere out there…Watching, watching…
The lights shining upon her would often change their colors, illuminating her figure with drops of rainbow occasionally. She looked almost enigmatic in that spotlight in the midst of the stage. The audience was enraptured by every movement she made and most wondered if she had written that song herself. It was just so passionate.
Her angelic yet strong voice finished the next chorus effortlessly and by then, she had had the whole auditorium filled to the maximum capacity. Those who were hesitant and were wandering outside the corridors were now sitting on the steps to watch her. Seats in the hall were not one vacant at all.
The moon is dipping down
The stars are vanishing
Those words are disappearing
Yet you remain unconscious
Then I mouth the words "Thank you" once again
Your kindness, your words, your everything
Like the melody, she had brought her tone softer, making her sound more ethereal than ever. The audience followed her as she shifted an arm to her delicate craned neck, singing the words without a single flaw.
I pray, under these velvet, velvet skies
That I will sing this song some day to tell you of my true feelings
On the stage, on my own, with the audience before me
On the stage, on my own, with the audience before me? Eriol leant forward, interest arousing within. Whoever had written the song had her wish came true. The lyrics and words touched him. He didn't know why but it had seemed as though he had sat through an entire love story when she had sang like that. He wondered if the rest of the audience thought so, too.
Then you will see one day
That I am finally worthy to be your nightingale
And that I shall sing for you
And only you
The music faintly came to a slow stop, its final notes ringing into the air and echoing across the auditorium as it left all in suspense on its ending chord. Tomoyo looked up to the audience as the song ended, but it seemed as though she had more to sing. With the mic still in her hands, she brought it up to her lips and finished the last.
Only you…
She echoed the last phrase alongside with the layers of silence that had settled around. The effect appeared as an impact before she bowed to the audience, placing the microphone back onto the sleek black stand. Almost as quick as she had come and took the audience by a turn, she now exited the stage, disappearing behind the red curtains.
There was deafening silence, until loud applauses ripped through the entire hall.
"Ne," Sakura whispered, as though not believing it was her friend she had saw on stage and mesmerized each and everyone, "That was Tomoyo, right?"
Even Syaoran appeared stunned, "I can bet you ten bucks she is the winner."
"Make that a hundred." Sakura now turned to her boyfriend, grinning with pride for her best friend. She then leant forward and focused on Eriol, who was still staring on lingeringly at the stage. She waved a hand before him and broke him out of his trance.
"Tomoyo's gone already!" She teased.
Eriol appeared dazed as his eyes slowly drifted into emerald. Then he suddenly stood up and made a dash for the exit.
"Oi! Hiiragizawa!" Syaoran cried out in bewilderment, wondering what had taken his friend by such abruptness.
*
It had been a tiring day for Tomoyo Daidouji. Now, she exited out of the dressing room with a dozen bouquets of flowers in her hands after changing out of her previous singing outfit. She was exhausted after all the events of today but she still wore a smile as she made her way down the hallway.
"Tomoyo Daidouji?" A man in his mid-20s spoke with deepness as he appeared before her, dipping his head almost in shyness. "You were great out there. Here, this is for you." He held out the bouquet of flowers he had hidden behind his back.
Tomoyo gave a tired smile as she accepted it, "Thank you."
After excusing herself from the man, she turned on a corner and was about to walk down the stairway when she caught sight of a familiar figure standing next to the pillar.
Her heart stopped. Eriol Hiiragizawa.
He lifted his head, revealing his mysterious smile as he spoke in his usual enigmatic voice. "Hey."
She had to keep from throwing herself into his arms. "Hey." She responded back as casually as she could.
He eyed her carefully before shrugging his shoulders, "Nice flowers."
She couldn't help it as she giggled, "Don't tell me you're starting to get jealous."
"Am not." He retorted, rolling his eyes.
"Hmm…" She gave a coy smile, "So how did I do?"
His gaze returned to hers and was held there for a while before he mocked an exasperated sigh. "You were the winner of the Talentime. What do you think?"
"That isn't enough. If my 'boyfriend' says it isn't good, then winning makes it a totally different thing in a bad way." She gave a pout.
Their eyes met halfway across the distance before he dropped his. "I see."
"So?" She prompted.
"It was…" He licked his lips. "It was fine."
That was such a lie, he thought to himself. It had been more than fine. Mesmerizing or entrancing, perhaps. Or both.
"Alright then." She giggled before taking a few steps to reach his side, finally closing the distance after minutes of conversing. "Are you here to bring me back?"
He rolled his eyes, as though the assumption was obvious, "What I'm supposed to, ain't it?"
"True. Let's go then." She was about to take her first step down when his warm hand grabbed hers.
She eyed him quizzically, "Something the matter?"
A furious blush tainted his cheeks, causing him to lower his gaze in an attempt to hide it. He found it difficult to speak when he suddenly thrust out his hands, revealing a bouquet of flowers.
"Here." He spoke with fluster as he hastily placed it in her hands. Decided not to give himself a chance to watch her expression, he made his way down the stairs, not allowing himself to look back.
"E-Eriol!" He heard her speak after some time, sensing her presence as she jogged down the stairs to his side. "Eriol!" She called again when he didn't turn around.
"Fine, fine!" An exasperated sigh left his lips, "What is it?"
"Thank you!" She smiled joyfully, holding out the bouquet he had handed to her. "They look beautiful!"
"Not as beautiful as the rest. I have bad taste." He was quick to deny as he hurriedly hastened his pace to the school's gateway.
"No, no! I'm serious!" She caught up with him. "I love your flowers!"
Love…
"Why won't you believe me that they're better than any of the other bouquets?" She asked with a childish pout.
"Fine, fine!" He held up his hands as if surrendering, "My flowers are beautiful!"
"They are!" She gave an impish beam. "Now can you help me to carry some of the flowers?"
"Alright, alright." He sighed, leaning in to help some of the load.
"No, not yours!" She pulled back on the bouquet he had presented her.
"Why?" He asked, confused.
"Because I want to carry it myself." She spoke nonchalantly, shoving the rest of the bouquets into his hands, a charming pink framing her cheeks before spreading to his, causing him to blush furiously.
"Oh." He replied back with a shrug.
*
"Help me up on the ledge, alright?" Tomoyo asked.
"I can't believe you." Eriol rolled his eyes. They had driven on his bike for a few minutes when they had came across the seaside. Quickly, Tomoyo had insisted he stop and take a breather at the beach. Now, she was asking him for assistance to launch her up onto the ledge that overlooked the scenery before them.
"Thanks." Tomoyo gave a beam when he had offered his hand for her. Eriol then jumped up to sit beside her without effort.
There was a moment of silence as both of them watched the sun set down to the blue horizontal line. A bluish atmosphere washed over the waters in effect as the moon that rose slowly above was reflected by the marine waves. In the sea, a dozen reflected stars could be seen shining white above.
Eriol watched her.
Now that he had come to know of his true feelings, watching her was a seemingly different experience. Previously, he would watch on in confusion and denial despite the feelings humming within him. Now, he had the chance to explore more of the beauty lying deep within and to see the sparkles in those eyes twinkling.
"Eriol?" She broke the silence, turning to him.
"Yeah?"
"Did you like my song?" She asked uncertainly, as though afraid of the rejection she would face if he were to say no. Yet her eyes held hope as she looked on at his surprised face. Eriol was taken aback. So she had written the song?
I want to be that nightingale
To sing to you a song whenever you are down
To bring you a smile whenever you need one
He suddenly grew intensely jealous. So she had written that song for somebody. And who was the fortunate one? Surely it couldn't be him. Surely she couldn't feel the same way like he did.
"Eriol? Answer me." She prompted softly.
"I…" He shrugged, trying to ease the tension knotting in his stomach. "Yeah, I like it."
But if only it was for me…Then…He grimaced inwardly. How disgusting of him to think thoughts like that.
"Eriol?" She asked again, this time, something in her eyes brought out the concern in him. Why was she looking so fragile all of a sudden?
"What is it?" He asked, leaning forward.
"I…" She looked away to the sea again. "I wrote that song for you."
He was stunned.
For you…
For you…
For you…
Then it all came back to him. Those emotions she had brought out in that song. The passion she had brought alive. That intensity in those lyrics. It was all for him.
In silence, I whisper to you "Please don't leave me"
Simple words you couldn't receive
The lyrics continued to reel in.
I am hiding the love as I cover them wistfully…
Love. She loved him.
What is the liquid biting at the tip of my lashes?
Had he brought her near to tears?
That I will sing this song some day to tell you of my true feelings
On the stage, on my own, with the audience before me
Before the audience…Before him…
"Am I not good enough? How unfair of you"
Not good enough?
No, that wasn't possible. How could she ever think she wasn't good enough for him?
The truth hit him like a sledgehammer hard in the chest. How could he be so stupid and dense? The song was for him. She had written it. She loved him. She thought she would never be good enough for him, yet she had wanted to be his nightingale.
She spoke again, her eyes focusing on the blue waters.
"I'm happy today. Because I finally got my wish and sang it to the audience." She turned to him and smiled warmly. "I am very fortunate."
He could only open his mouth and close it again with shock. He still didn't know what to say.
Then you will see one day
That I am finally worthy to be your nightingale
And that I shall sing for you
And only you
Finally worthy…
She was so wrong. All the while, she had been more than worthy for him. How could a person as beautiful as her be unfit for Eriol Hiiragizawa? How could a person who looked like an angel and acted like one not be good enough for Eriol Hiiragizawa? It was unheard of.
"I…" He thought he looked like a performing guppy with that look of his. He was still speechless.
He received a nudge in his ribs in response. "Don't act like that, Eriol. It's not like I want anything from you or I want you to say something. You don't have to." If she was sad, she hid it well with her impish smile.
"I…" Not say something? It would be unfair to her. He watched as she turned back to the scenery in silence and then reality snapped back into him.
She loved him.
He loved her.
Only one thing remained conscious in his mind. There were only three more days till their dare was over.
THREE.
That meant those days in which he had spent hours and hours with her were going to be over. No more chasing around in the house, no more waltzing under the moon and in the classroom, no more so-called love notes in his locker, no more reluctant-yet-not-reluctant shopping sprees, no more mind-throbbing kisses.
Nothing.
He had to do something before he loses her to time itself.
"Tomoyo?" He softly called out, his hand hesitantly reaching for hers before wrapping his fingers around her slender digits. Even on a chilly night like this, her hand was warm.
She turned to meet his face, inching closer and closer to hers. She was about to arch an eyebrow and ask what he was doing when the obvious got to her. She felt his other hand reaching for hers before their fingers intertwined gently. His face continued to come closer until it was only inches away from hers. She could feel his breath brushing her neck.
She closed her eyes as his lips touched hers before nibbling on it briefly. Then he pulled away, not too far, but just enough to look at her in the eye.
A slow smile caught up on her lips and it grew impish. "What was that for, Eriol?"
He dropped his gaze to their laced fingers before raising it again, his eyes bearing no more shyness.
"This," He spoke in a low whisper, his lips curling into a smile, "is what I feel for you."
**
END!!!!!!! (of chapter, yEah… ONE more up to Go!!!)
Finally got it done! Yeah, get the rotten eggs and tomatoes over. I wouldn't mind, seriously, because I took sooooooooo long just to get this short chappie down with. Anyway, my thanks goes out to Squaresoft and Koda Kumi for blessing me the song, 1000 no Kotoba, which was my inspiration to write Nightingale (the song Tomoyo sang) and the singing scene down. Download it 'coz it's just toooooo good! And the costume idea was based on Lenne's outfit in Final Fantasy X-2 (Yeah!! Lenne!!) Also, I'm pacing the story a little faster because I want to finish the story and get it done with so I can concentrate on my studies. I decided I couldn't just stop halfway right there and keep all of you in suspense for eternity. -_-" So here it is. Sorry for the wait but you've had it finally.
The song 'Nightingale' was written by mysterio000 (yup!) in honor of Eriol & Tomoyo in AitGoL!!! If you're smart enough or just really sharp and memory-wise, you'll understand easily when Tomoyo had taken the chance to write this song. For those who are still rather confused, fret not! I'll let it on more in the next chapter, which hopefully will be the finale or so!!!
Arigatou for the weeks and weeks wait. You guys are the most patient bunch and yOU ROCK!!!
As always
Mysterio000
p.s. the almighty one!