Love for All Seasons
A Cardcaptor Sakura Fanfiction
By Wallpaper
Season 3 : Autumn/Fall
Li Syaoran closed his book with a yawn and flung it carelessly onto the expanse of suede beside him. He eyed his girlfriend sitting on the carpet in front of him, staring at her book aggressively, and grinned at her effort to memorize every single word. His girlfriend. Syaoran felt a surge of powerful joy and stretched expansively. Kinomoto Sakura was his girlfriend, and he was as happy as a man in love would be.
Syaoran propped an elbow on his knee and placed his head on his palm. Since the day that he had confessed his feelings to her at the Lake in the Tsukimine Shrine, both of them had been virtually inseparable. They had their fun with their occasional impromptu 'dates' (Syaoran did not see the point of formalizing the event they went out together, as they always did that whenever they were feeling lonesome), but studies did still come first as the graduating exams were around the corner. Syaoran, being the genius that he was, came up with a brilliant idea of studying together, and so Sakura could help him in his Japanese, and Syaoran could help her with her math.
As far as Syaoran could see, his Japanese was already done. But for Sakura...
He heaved a big sigh and absently picked up one of the two braids Sakura had tied her hair into, twirling it around his finger absently. Sakura's math was still all over the place. Syaoran cast a quick glance around his living room, where rough papers filled with mathematical symbols were thrown about. Oh yes, he thought dryly, her math was definitely thrown all over the place. He had been trying to drill formulas and theories into her little delectable head for the past 2 hours, but he had given up after that, claiming that she was a hopeless cause. His comment had cost him a huge smack on the head.
'Stop that.' murmured Sakura absently as she scribbled something on another one of her rough papers. Syaoran stopped his action but did not let go of her braid. 'You're distracting me'
Syaoran raised a brow and tugged at her braid gently.
'Okay. I will if you can answer this...'
Sakura thankfully remembered the answer to Syaoran's question, as it was one of the most important theory for their math exam, but Syaoran still did not let go of her braids, but picked up the other one and began to tangle the two up together.
'Seriously, Syaoran. I really need to concentrate. The exams are around the corner and I really need to knock some sense into this block of wood I have for a brain!'
'You have a very cute block of wood, my dear,' Syaoran grinned as he kissed her head briefly. 'And besides, you have been staring at the book for ages. You were not really taking in anything. You need a break, Sakura. You've been studying non-stop for the past few hours and it's finally getting to you.'
Sakura grimaced. 'But-!'
'So you are going to come with me to the kitchen and fix me my dinner. No excuses.' He warned, and stood up from the couch, letting go of her hair. He grabbed her arm instead and dragged Sakura to her feet. She was trying to look at the clock and her eyes widen in disbelief at the time it displayed.
'8 o'clock? I've been here-and studying- since 2 o'clock!' she exclaimed with a wondrous expression. Syaoran laughed and nodded his head.
'Yes, Sakura. You've been studying your math for the past 6 hours, not to mention the 1 hour you spent staring at the book blankly. Do you still think you want to go on?'
Sakura grinned sheepishly at Syaoran and dragged him to the kitchen. She immediately pounced onto the refrigerator and tried to decide what to cook. Syaoran surveyed his fridge over his shoulder and glanced at the leftover chocolate cake that made him drool. Later, he told himself firmly, and quickly diverted his gaze to the rest of the fridge.
'Let's have…Spaghetti!' Sakura declared as she took out the bottle of tomato and mushroom sauce from his fridge. She searched the dry goods counter beside the fridge and quickly spotted the packet of spaghetti.
'Aha!' she exclaimed as she grabbed the packet. Syaoran sighed and went to take out his pots and pans. Why was it always spaghetti whenever Sakura came over to cook?
---
Sakura collapsed onto the comfortable couch in Syaoran's apartment with a comfortable groan and Syaoran followed her, dragging his girlfriend into his arms. Sakura happily complied and snuggled closer to him.
'I'm stuffed.' murmured Sakura into his shirt. Syaoran chuckled lightly and smoothed down her hair. 'You're the glutton who ate the most. You were almost on the verge of licking up the pan!' Syaoran grimaced mockingly. 'Come to think of it, I think you are weighing much heavier than before.'
Sakura promptly smacked him on the arm, making him laugh.
The couple fell into comfortable silence and listened as the sound of each other's heartbeat lulled them to a deep slumber.
'Sakura?' She looked up and smiled sleepily into his eyes, tilting her head curiously. Syaoran ran his fingers down her face, trying to remember everything about her. Her beautiful auburn hair, her wide-eyed Emeralds, her beautiful lips. Especially her lips and the way it tasted and felt.
'No matter what happens, remember that I love you.' He murmured as he leaned forward to capture her lips in his. Sakura sighed into his kiss and traced his face with her fingers, making him leaned into her palm. She ran her thumb against his cheek and slowly pulled away from him. She kissed him once more and smiled into his ember-brown eyes.
'That's very sweet of you, Syaoran.' She sighed with contentment and tightened her hold on him. 'I will, and please do the same for me. Remember that I love you too, no matter what.'
They both fell asleep soon after in each others arms, the comforting heat from the fireplace warming them from the chill of the Autumn air.
---
'Yes, Jie, I'm fine here.' He insisted as he plopped down onto the couch. After Sakura had left to return home, the phone had rung on time and his sisters immediately began the usual ritual of screaming down his ear.
'So, Syaoran! Your exams are around the corner, right?' Syaoran sighed at his sister's question and nodded though they couldn't see it.
'Yes. It's starts tomorrow. The school said that the results would be out three weeks from now.' The line was silent as both parties contemplated about Syaoran's situation.
'Syaoran…' his elder sister started. Syaoran cut her off quickly.
'I know. I have my duties.' He tried telling himself that, but his heart adamantly insisted that he stay. For Sakura.
'I shall not begin a lecture, Syaoran. You do know that you must do what father had left for you. It's for the good of our family and your future. You should be happy that you have something to do after you graduate. Others will be scrambling around looking for a job, and we're practically handing one to you -- on a silver plate.' Syaoran closed his eyes and massaged his suddenly throbbing temple at Fuutie's argument.
'Da jie…' he pleaded gently. 'I know. I'll return right after I get my results.' he reassured them silently. 'I'm coming home.'
But why, Syaoran thought, did home not seem like home anymore?
---
Aya was day-dreaming about Syaoran again. She seemed to be thinking about him more and more since the day she had seen Syaoran at the festival, looking absolutely gorgeous in his Yukata. She sighed dreamily and shifted the books she was carrying in her arms, as she made her way to her locker to deposit -and pick up- some books for her next lesson.
In the midst of her daydream, she did not pay attention to the way in front of her, and fall over backwards as she hit into something hard. She yelped silently in pain as her back came in contact with the hard, tiled, floor of the school corridor.
'Watch where you're going!' barked someone in front of her. Aya looked up, and her eyes widened in horror as she realized who it was.
'K-Kehrin!' she stammered as she eyed the notorious bully from her class. She watched as he glared angrily at her, then curled his lips up in a smirk when he realized who it was.
'Well, well, well! If it isn't little Aya.' he taunted. Aya averted her gaze from him and deliberately ignored him. She quickly gathered up her books in a stack and quickly stood up. She stepped forward to walk away, but was immediately stopped by Kehrin and his gang.
'Aw…leaving so soon?' Aya remained silent and tried to move around him. One of his gang members blocked her way. She moved in another direction and Kehrin himself stepped in front of her.
'Excuse me, please.' she said edgily from between her teeth. Kehrin folded his arms across his chest and looked down at her. Aya resolutely stared at his chest. If only I could burn a hole through his heart…
'Where are you going in a hurry?' snarled Kehrin. Aya sniffed indignantly and glared into Kehrin's eyes.
'Unlike you, some of us have classes to attend.' Aya absently noted that a crowd had gathered around them, whispering and pointing.
'Well, isn't someone feeling edgy today!' He exclaimed with mock surprise. 'You haven't apologized for bumping into me yet, my dear.'
'I am NOT your dear, Kehrin.' She took a deep breath. 'I'm sorry, I didn't see where I was going. Now, can I move?'
'Kehrin, let her go.' Ordered a voice Aya knew very well from behind her captor. Both of them glanced behind and Kehrin's gang immediately tensed up. Aya's heart started pounding quickly at the beautiful sight in front of her.
'If it isn't Li Syaoran, the rescuer.' Kehrin spat.
'Let her go, Kehrin.' Syaoran demanded quietly, glaring at him threateningly.
'Kehrin, let's go. We don't want to start a fight in the hallway.' urged one of his group members silently. Kehrin glared at him and bared his teeth.
'Shut up.' He gave one last glare at Syaoran and turned to Aya.
'You're lucky that lover boy's here, Aya. I won't let you off that easily the next time. Watch where you're going from now.' He growled. He turned to his gang and made a rough gesture.
'Let's go.'
As Kehrin and the gang disappeared around the corner, Syaoran's expression soften and he sighed a breath in relief.
'I was afraid he was really going to start a fight.' mumbled Syaoran in relief. He looked at Aya and smiled gently. 'Are you alright?' The crowd, seeing that the show was over, began to dissipate.
'Yes. Thank you.' Aya thanked him breathlessly. Syaoran was smiling at her! And he's doing it again!
'It's alright. I was just passing by anyway. I'm meeting Sakura for lunch, so I'll see you around?' Aya smiled dreamily and nodded.
'Yes…'
As Syaoran walked away, Aya could not help but sigh in gratitude.
He's so nice. Aya continued to stare in front of her dreamily. An idea formed in her mind. I should do something to repay him… she frowned slightly. But what?
She started to walk towards her classroom absently, pondering on the idea. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks and let out a victorious cry.
'I Know! I'll bake something!' she cried suddenly, startling those around her. She flushed in embarrassment and quickly ran to her classroom, heart glowing warmly at the thought of the ember-eyed boy.
Syaoran…
---
Kehrin muttered curses beneath his breath as he left his gang in the canteen and stormed off to the courtyard to cool off in the chilly Autumn air. That stupid Li Syaoran! Why did he always have to interfere?
Kehrin was angry. At Syaoran and at himself. He berated himself for not watching where he was going when he bumped into Aya, and he berated himself for being so mean to Aya, but most of all, he berated his heart for racing when he saw Aya.
Aya thought that she was being discreet about it, but practically the whole school knew that the girl was infatuated with Li Syaoran. Aya was either blind, or ignorant to the fact that Li Syaoran was already smitten with his best friend, Kinomoto Sakura.
'That stupid Aya,' he muttered under her breath, 'What does she see in him anyway?'
Sure, Li Syaoran was a kind and gentle person, always willing to go out of his way to help anyone in need, much less to help Aya. But didn't Aya see that he was already taken? Kehrin plopped himself under a tree and stared up at the crisp, red and brown leaves occasionally falling around him. Why did Aya have to get herself infatuated with an idiot whose heart was already taken?
Why doesn't she get herself tangled up with someone else? Someone like ME?!
Kehrin did not bother to chase that thought away this time. To his horror and mild delight, he had found himself liking Aya more and more. Every time Aya walked past him in the hallway, glanced at him or smile at someone else (she never smiled at him. Not once.) he would either start cursing colorfully at the way his heart was galloping in his chest, or just start a fight with her.
Aya was real. She wasn't obsessive about her own looks or how expensive her clothes was. She didn't put on excessive make up like those who threw themselves at him, and was not attention seeking. Aya, was plain and kind, sweet and gentle, but had a terrible temper when provoked.
Kehrin smiled gently at the thought of her. The temper was what made Aya the most attractive, besides her other attributes. Part of the reason Kehrin loved to irritate Aya, was to see her temper flare. Her face would be flushed and her eyes would seem to come alive by itself, and Kehrin would sometimes just stare at her beauty in the middle of a fight with her, making Aya have the opportunity to either walk away or hit him on the head. That would spark another fight.
He had even been thinking about Aya again when he bumped into her, and his anger at himself for blushing slightly when he bumped into her had been unintentionally directed to the person in front of him, and it had been Aya, to his dismay. He closed his eyes tiredly and ran a hand over his face.
'I wonder if she hates me…' Kehrin snorted at that thought and glared bitterly at the leaves overhead. 'Of course she hates me. Why wouldn't she?'
He took in a gulp of the cool air to clear his head and suddenly hit his head against the tree trunk, causing more leaves to fall precariously around him.
'I hate myself…' he muttered as he dragged himself up and into the school.
---
Syaoran walked back to the classroom to get his bag to go home after seeing Sakura off for her gym practice, when Aya quietly entered his classroom and closed the door after her. He glanced up at the sudden noise in the empty classroom and his eyes shone with surprise at Aya's sudden appearance.
'Aya? What are you doing here?' He watched as the girl fidgeted nervously, her hands crossed behind her back.
'Well, erm… I just wanted to drop by to thank you for standing up for me when Kehrin was being a bastard.' Syaoran faked a shocked expression at her. 'Aya! You don't have to call him that even though he is acting like one!'
Aya laughed silently and shyly removed the wrapped package from behind her. 'I made a little something for you. I hope you like it.' Syaoran's expression soften and he accepted the gift with a grateful smile.
'You shouldn't have as you are my friend after all, and it was my duty to help you. Thank you, anyway.' He glanced curiously at the box and his spirits lifted further when he caught a whiff of it's contents.
'Is it what I think it is?' he asked excitedly. Aya laughed and nodded.
'If what you meant is chocolate, yes, it is.' Syaoran laughed happily and placed the gift on his desk.
'Thank you, Aya. Really, you shouldn't have.' Syaoran watched with amusement as Aya flushed and looked away form him.
'But I wanted to. Because…' Syaoran lifted an eyebrow at her hesitation and tilted his head to one side.
'What is it, Aya?'
'Syaoran…I…I…I like you. I really like you a lot!'
The silence between them was deafening, and Aya felt her heart sink when Syaoran remained silent. Why did I have to do that? I might have just spoiled our friendship!
She was thoroughly shocked from head to toe when she felt him embrace her.
'S-Syaoran!' She gave a strangled cry. Did Syaoran like her the way she liked him?
Her heart told her no.
With a pang in stomach and tears welling up in her eyes, she realized that his hug was not one a lover would give. His embrace was warm and friendly. His embrace, was brotherly. Aya suppressed her tears as Syaoran finally let go of her, gazing gently into her eyes. Syaoran did not need to say more. Aya got the message. He only loved her as a brother would love her sister.
'I really like you a lot too, Aya. You're a wonderful friend to me.' He smile gently at her. 'It's Sakura that I love, Aya.' His expression turned sad, however. Aya was greatly surprised. Whenever Syaoran mentioned Sakura, his eyes would always be warm, but this time, it held regret and sorrow.
'Syaoran…is something bothering you?' she asked meekly. Syaoran turned to face her with surprise evident in his face.
'What?'
Aya let out a weak smile and sighed sadly. 'I'm sorry if I'm being bossy, but you're usually smiling or glowing whenever you mention Sakura. It's funny that you are sad today when you mention her.'
Syaoran gave her a small smile and turned to face the window. Aya stood beside him, both of them sharing the view.
'I'm going back to China soon, Aya.' he said quietly. Her head snapped to him in surprise.
'What?! But…but what about-'
'That's what I'm worried about.' Syaoran interjected. With a growl of frustration, he leaned his head against the cold window panel. Aya was still trying to absorb the fact. Syaoran was leaving Japan!
'You'll be back…right?' Aya looked pleadingly at him. Syaoran looked into Aya's eyes regretfully and shook his head.
'No…' he muttered. When he suddenly banged his head against the window panel, she jumped up in shock and stared at Syaoran as he proceeded to hit himself against the window senseless.
'I shouldn't have told Sakura how I felt.' He told her in between hits. 'How am I going to break the news to her without breaking her heart?'
Aya looked sharply at Syaoran.
'You haven't told her that you're leaving yet?' she cried indignantly. Syaoran mutely shook his head. Aya placed a hand on his shoulders.
'Syaoran. You must tell her soon!' Syaoran was silent.
'I can't, Aya. I'm afraid.' he whispered after awhile. Aya was lost for words and just stared at Syaoran. 'I don't want her to cry because of me.'
Aya watched helplessly as Syaoran looked at Aya with his eyes full of pain.
'I don't want her to wait uselessly for me when I'm in China.'
'But-!'
'I'm not coming back, Aya. I'm going back to China, permanently. I have to oblige my family and take over a bloody company!'
Aya was silent for awhile. Syaoran was so brave and strong and kind. So giving and generous. But he was such an idiot sometimes.
'Syaoran,' she waited until he faced her. 'I think it's for Sakura to decide if she wants to wait for you.'
Syaoran did not answer, but turned to the view beyond the window.
---
Aya walked out of the classroom and closed the door behind her silently, leaving Syaoran to stay in there with his own thoughts. She sighed heavily and walked back to her classroom.
Her heart hurt, her head hurt, her body hurt.
Aya knew that Syaoran did not like her the way she did - the way she used to, but even after the realization that she only had a small crush of Syaoran that was actually like loving a sibling, her heart was empty.
She used to keep it full with thoughts of Syaoran, but now, she was still trying to get used to the emptiness, and it definitely was not easy. Her heart longed for the warmth and fullness it once had, but Aya felt deprived.
She walked wearily to her desk and slid down into the chair, head immediately falling on her folded arms in front. She felt physically and emotionally exhausted, and a part of her felt cheated: cheated that what she had thought was her true love, was nothing more than a stupid infatuation.
Her heart hurt, her head hurt, her body hurt.
Aya didn't want to go home yet. She just wanted to stay where she was and rest until she regained enough energy to return.
---
Kehrin was startled when the door to the classroom opened suddenly and a very weary looking Aya trotted in looking absolutely dejected. He just stared at her and waiting for her to notice him.
She didn't. She never noticed him until he pissed her off.
He watched Aya as his concern grew by the second as she dragged herself to her desk and collapsed on it. She was so still that Aya almost convinced Kehrin that she was dead until she moaned slightly.
Kehrin frowned and approached her silently.
'What is little miss perfect doing in school at this time?' he asked with a cool voice. At least he hoped that it was cool. His concern for the girl was growing with every minute. He watched at Aya twitched slightly at his voice.
'Kehrin?' she wondered, her face still buried in her arms. Kehrin raised an eyebrow.
'What?'
'Please go away. I've no mood to keep you amused by fighting with you.'
Kehrin gaped at her. Now he was truly concerned. He crouched down beside her desk and prodded her gently.
'Hey, are you okay? You want me to bring you home?' he asked gently.
That made Aya look up and Kehrin suppressed a wince when he saw her haggard expression. 'Are you being concerned for me?' she asked, amusement in her tone. Kehrin scowled slightly at her and she cracked a grin at him.
Kehrin blinked in surprise. Aya was grinning at him? He was seriously concerned for her mentality.
'O-kay. Now you've got me freaked. You're grinning at me?'
Aya hid her face in her arms again and heaved an exhausted sigh.
'I…just need to rest. I'm fine. Really.'
Kehrin was not impressed. Just then, he realized that the nice package that was on Aya's class today was gone.
'Hey, where's the nice package on your desk just now?' he asked curiously. She mumbled something that he didn't catch.
'What?' he strained his ears to hear.
'Syaoran.'
Apprehension dawned in his mind, and he tried to push away the despair that was growing in his heart.
'You went to tell him about your feelings for him?' he asked gently.
That made Aya's head snap up as she glared at him.
'How did you know?' Kehrin cracked a small grin, trying to suppress the urge to crumple his face in despair. So she did went to confess…
'I guess as much. For your information, everyone in the school knows about your crush on Syaoran, you know.' Kehrin watched as Aya's eyes widened in realization.
'WHAT?!' Kehrin nodded to confirm her thoughts. Aya grimaced at him.
'Was I that transparent?'
Kehrin nodded again. Aya sighed and rested her chin on her folded hands, staring at nothing in particular ahead of her. Kehrin grabbed a chair from the next desk and sat down beside her.
'What are you still doing in school anyway?' she asked curiously, casting a side glance at him. Kehrin leaned back in his chair and folded his arms in front of him. He carelessly propped his leg on her table, making Aya lean back and smack his leg off her desk in disgust.
'Get your stinky shoes off my desk, you idiot!'
'Welcome back, Aya.' he grinned roguishly at her. She just glared at him when he chased her legs away under her desk as he stretched out his legs. Aya was not going to lose to an idiot like him, and stubbornly placed her legs above his. Kehrin glared at her and placed one leg above theirs, and Aya placed her leg above his and grinned at him in victory.
Kehrin snarled at her, relieved that she was finally recovering from her moodiness ('She is smiling at me!' Kehrin thought happily.) He secretly enjoyed the way his leg was tangled with hers, but refrained from voicing his thoughts out loud, in fear of being branded a huge pervert by the girl he liked. Thankfully, Aya did not make any complaint about the position of their legs and leaned back in her chair carelessly like him.
'I stayed back for my club.' he told her. Aya blinked owlishly at him and quickly realized that he was answering her previous question. She grinned at him again, and Kehrin had to remind himself to breath.
'It's a wonder that a school bully like you is so devoted to his club and studies.' she voiced her thoughts aloud. Kehrin shrugged.
'I and not so dumb as to neglect my studies just to keep up my image. It's better being intimidating and a bully at the same time.'
Aya stared at him incredulously.
'You are the weirdest school bully I have ever came across.' Kehrin just nodded his head in acknowledgement.
'Thank you.'
A comfortable silence passed between them for awhile as they both averted their gaze to the view outside. The autumn leaves were falling randomly onto the sidewalk beside the school, and students stayed back to clear the courtyard. Kehrin absently noted that it was his turn to clear the courtyard tomorrow, and it was with Aya.
Yes!
'I told Syaoran that I liked him today.' Kehrin glanced at Aya, slightly surprised that she was spilling her gut to him. He remained silent and turned his gaze back to the view outside.
'He told me that he liked me…only as a sister.' Kehrin did not know what to say.
'I'm sorry.' he attempted. Aya turned and raised an eyebrow at him in surprise. She quickly glanced at her watch.
'On the 27th of September, 2004, Takashi Kehrin apologized to me for the first time.' She took on a thoughtful expression. 'Now that's history.'
Kehrin gave her and unfriendly stare that made her laugh. I'll never ever get used to her laughter. It's too…unique and special.
'He told me that he liked- loved Sakura.' she continued, looking at him in slight wonder. 'He even hugged me.' Her voice broke slightly and Kehrin was surprised to see her eyes quickly fill up with tears and spilling down her face.
'I know that if I cried in front of him, Syaoran would be sad to see me cry. But now…I just can't help it.' Kehrin helplessly stared at Aya. How do you comfort a girl when she was crying. Where is Syaoran when you need him? Kehrin thought furiously. Syaoran had four sisters. He should know how to comfort a crying girl!
Kehrin was totally at loss with what to do. Half of him wanted to run out of the classroom, screaming with confusion, and the other half of him wanted to go to Aya and pull her into his arms. What on Earth-? he thought incredulously. Where did that come from?
Aya suddenly let out and embarrassed laugh and swiped at her tears furiously. 'I'm sorry. It's silly for me to cry over such a small thing.' She let out a bitter laugh. 'I was only infatuated with him after all.' Kehrin frowned.
'Don't say that.' Aya looked up at him, thoroughly surprised. 'That's a stupid thing to say.' Kehrin felt like it was so natural for him to untangle his legs from hers, and go over to Aya.
He pulled a very shocked Aya into his embrace.
'Infatuation or not, it's still an important feeling for you.' he told her calmly, though his insides were screaming at him. 'You've been hurt, and it's okay to cry sometimes when that happens.'
He tried to calm his overworked nerves when he felt her relax, however slightly, against him and lean her forehead on his shoulders.
'You are,' she let out in a chocked voice laced with tears. 'the weirdest person I've ever came across.' Kehrin absently felt the shoulder of his school blouse dampening.
'One minute, you're shouting biting comments at me, and the next, you're being Mr. Hunky and Comforting guy. You are definitely weird.' Kehrin's eyes widened as he felt Aya's hands rest on his chest, neither bring him closer or pushing him away. She thinks that I'm hunky?
'Well,' he joked with a strained voice. 'My mother always told me that I was the weirdest person alive with two outrages split personalities.'
'Kehrin?'
'Hmm?' Aya grabbed the collar of Kehrin's blouse tightly as she leaned more heavily into his tightening embrace.
'I'm going to start bawling in your blouse if you don't shut up soon.'
Kehrin closed his eyes and ran a hand up her spine, resting it comfortingly on the back of her head.
'Please do,' he whispered.
Kehrin watched the autumn leaves fall as Aya cried heavily in his arms.
---
The exams passed too quickly for Syaoran's liking as the day of the results grew near. Other students were anticipating eagerly for the news of how they fared during their graduation exam papers, but Syaoran was dreading the day.
He was leaving immediately after he collected his results. He was not staying for the formal graduation ceremony.
'The company is at the brink of collapse,' Fuutie explained to him urgently over the phone the night before. Syaoran frowned worriedly.
'Then why don't you take over my position for the moment?'
'I can't, Syaoran.' She groaned. 'You're the only one who can. Only the Male heir to the Li's can, and you know that.' Syaoran raised a hand to his temples and massaged them wearily, silently cursing the rule his father had set.
'Then by the order of the Male heir of the Li's, I command the eldest Daughter to take over the company until I return.' He barked in irritation. He heard his sister gasp slightly, apparently offended. He sighed apologetically.
'I'm sorry, Da Jie. I'm just…tired. Please take over the company for now?' he asked pleadingly. His sister sighed.
'I understand, Syaoran. It's a burden for you to take over the company. I shall take your position, but only until your return. You get me, young man?'
Syaoran had agreed and put down the phone. Everything was already arranged and prepared. The tickets were booked, most of his things were packed, transport was arranged, and his apartment was already up for sale.
The only thing left was to tell Sakura.
He had been fretting over the issue since his sister had called to demand for him to return immediately. He still haven't found the courage to tell his girlfriend yet. Like he had told Aya a few days before, he was terrified to make Sakura sad. He was afraid that Sakura would do something foolish like wait for him to return to Japan, though Syaoran knew that he would not be. He did not want her to waste the next decade of her life waiting for him, and missing out of all the things that she could have.
Sakura was too special to him, and Syaoran knew that she deserved nothing more than happiness and love: someone who would be there by her side and share her joy and woes with.
Syaoran could not do that while he was ten thousand miles away.
Syaoran closed his eyes and leaned back against the sofa in his apartment.
He was not going to tell Sakura. When he got his results, he was going straight to the airport, never looking back.
It was better for Sakura to hate him for leaving her in the lurch, then find herself someone more worthy of the beautiful angle she was, then be sad and wait for him when he was never going to return.
One week later, Syaoran was on the plane on his way to Hong Kong with a heavy heart, with Aya's words echoing in his mind.
'I think it's for Sakura to decide if she wants to wait for you.'
'But I don't want her to wait for me if she decides to.' he whispered to himself as the plane took him further and further away from his one and only true love.
----
A/n: I'm kind of worried over the spelling/grammar errors and plot loopholes. Please review and tell me if you spot any!
And of course, please tell me what you think of this chapter. Thank you.