Last chapter…

"When would the spell end, Hiiragizawa-kun?" she asked, ignoring the jovial and loud atmosphere around them.

"I'm not yet sure, Daidouji-san," Eriol replied, letting his fingertips touch. "I haven't studied the spell quite yet."

Tomoyo smiled. "I hope everything returns back to normal…"

"I agree. It's really awkward to call yourself every once in a while."

Sakura, who was watching the two quietly from one corner, smiled knowingly. It seems that trying to watch certain events from just one corner pays off. She could see and find out certain things about certain people.

"Ah… Now I understand."


Disclaimer: Don't own CCS… If I did own it, there wouldn't be any Kaho Mizuki nor irritable water magicians that chase Clow Reed even after he's already dead!

Author's blabbering: Okay, so I'm back… I'm trying to update one chapter a day (which is really difficult, believe me) and I have to fight tooth-and-nail for a round on the computer. Thank my lucky stars I only use it to connect to the internet since my good ole Apple Laptop forgot its extension. Tsk, tsk, tsk! Sometimes, laptops can be very stupid, forgetting its parts and all!

Okay, here we are on another episode of… (drum roll!) Answer Your Reviewers' Questions!

Requiem Elise: You think it's cute? … Yeah, I think it's cute too!

Arika-chan: Ahaha! You're partly wrong! Everything will be answered on the last chapter, don't worry!

Cristal-shian: It's okay… I seemed to have made and showed them as different individuals… You want one too? Oh, dear! It's really difficult to make a clone… You need to extract the DNA, duplicate it, place it inside a fertilized egg then wait for it to grow for 16 years… Would you wait that long? XD

Animevietgirl: Nah, I don't live in Japan. I'm just here to visit my cousins… And to find a suited husband for me to marry… Hehe, just kidding!

Elvirna: You like the arguing twins? … I like them too… Kinda reminds me of my classmates, Alex and Lex…

Crayon-Eater Aya: Do you really eat crayons? What do they taste like? … Again, you're wrong, Aya! Well, partly … May sched? Pwede rin… Papasok ung isa sa umaga, ung isa sa hapon… Sana may twin din ako! … It's really annoying, having these ridiculous thoughts inside my head… gives me migraine…

Denied: … I think you've seriously gone off your rocker… Did you know that laughing too hard can kill you? It can cause choking which results into blockage in your throat… A horrible death if you ask me… XD

Trickmaster-lilica: Your name's really neat! Lilica! Reminds me of that girl in Fancy Lala! Thanks for reviewing anyway!

And so, this ends our segment! Hope you enjoy! And oh, don't forget to read The Testament and Mistaken Identity by yours truly. I've updated them already… (Mag-advertise daw ba?)


CHAPTER 3: WILL YOU MARRY ME?


It was another sunny Monday and for Seijou High students, it means another day full of pop quizzes, board works, impromptu oral recitations and loads of homework. For Tomoyo, it means another day of running around the campus, trying to help with the different clubs. After all, she is the Level Representative and thus in charge of taking care of the clubs, especially now that the annual School Foundation is nearing.

She just walked inside the building, her satchel in one hand, and proceeded to her locker. After unlocking it, she promptly stepped away as her locker door opened and let out a flood of envelopes and love letters. The raven-haired heiress let out a sigh.

"When would they learn that my locker isn't a mailbox?" she asked in exasperation as she changed into her white school shoes. She then proceeded to the painful process of picking the envelopes and putting them inside a trash bin.

She was never interested in males, even though more than two-third of the male population of Seijou High is head over heels with her. But then, she was quite fond with this cute guy with—

"You're really a heart-breaker, Daidouji-san."

Tomoyo looked up at the voice and smiled at the smiling owner. "Ohayo, Hiiragizawa-kun!" she greeted brightly. "I thought you weren't going to school today because of your twin!" Automatically, she peered over his shoulder. "He's not here, is he?"

The memory of what had happened yesterday was still fresh in her mind. She, Syaoran and Sakura went over to the Hiiragizawa manor and found that the young sorcerer had just created another "him" when a spell unfortunately backfired. They were actually still trying to swallow the fact when the clone suddenly kissed her spontaneously. There wasn't even a warning sign that says "Hey! I'm going to kiss you!". Tomoyo just shuddered at that. Not that she doesn't find Eriol handsome… It was just weird for her that someone like Eriol would even kiss her, even though it was just a clone of him.

"He isn't with me right now," the blue-eyed sorcerer replied pleasantly. "I conjured a spell that would not allow him to go out of the house. And I have Spinel to watch him over."

Tomoyo managed a small smile. "That's good." At least now, no one would even try to kiss her again.

They walked towards their classroom, ignoring the squealing fan girls and swooning fan boys around them. Tomoyo, now assured that there was no Eriol clone walking around the campus, finally got over her awkwardness towards the young man and even managed to have a light conversation with him. Just like in the old days.

"So, have you found a counter-spell for this?" she asked him.

"I haven't yet," he answered casually. "I'll just have to be patient for a while. I'm not really sure what permanent damages could happen if this spell lingers on."

"Oh." Tomoyo actually considered about asking Eriol again what he was trying to erase in the first place but thought against it. After all, he was trying to evade it even at the start. There'd be no use asking him again.

When they reached their room, Eriol opened the door for her and she went in, followed by him closely. From the moment he stepped inside, Syaoran had his gaze on him. Tomoyo smiled at the chestnut-haired boy cheerfully.

"Ohayo, Li-kun!" she greeted brightly then noticed the vacant seat in front of him. "Sakura-chan's late again, isn't she?"

"She'll be here soon," Syaoran replied evenly, his glare still glued on Eriol who took a seat beside him. His amber eyes narrowed at him. "Are you sure you're Hiiragizawa?"

Eriol turned to him, a dark eyebrow raised. "No, I think I'm Clow Reed, back from the dead," he said sarcastically.

"Nice try, Hiiragizawa," Li shot back, glancing at Tomoyo who was looking at the both of them. "You didn't do anything to her, did you?"

"I respect Daidouji-san too much. Why would I do something to her?" Eriol said calmly. "Besides, let me remind you, my dear descendant, that it was my clone who kissed her, not me."

"Still, that was your alter-ego! That was still you. You can't go on, blaming your clone."

Tomoyo was now a great deal redder than a fire hydrant. The red one, not the yellow. "Li-kun, there's nothing to worry now," she said quietly. "Hiiragizawa-kun didn't do anything to me. Honest."

The two boys were now throwing lethal glares at each other. Tomoyo sweatdropped, feeling the thickening tension inside the classroom. Now she knows what it feels like to be cooked on a frying pan. Just then, much to her relief and amusement, Yamazaki came with his grin again. That grin that says "I'm ready for a new round of jokes". Tomoyo let out a sigh. She didn't want to be here right now.

"Ohayo! What are you talking about now?" the close-eyed boy asked.

Eriol turned to him with his playful smirk. Tomoyo shook her head. "Ah, Li-san and I were talking about clones!"

"Clones!" Yamazaki raised his forefinger in the air, a sign that he would be starting any minute now. "Did you know that clones were actually the evil incarnate of that living being? It is said that the clones are more evil and more despicable than the original being."

Then, much to Tomoyo's dismay, Eriol started as well. "Furthermore, they say that clones have a spirit of their own. Scientists take the spirits from dead people."

"They pull them out using a pair of tongs after they dug the grave—"

"Takeshi! Are you telling stories again!" Chiharu came over at the speed of light and dragged back the poor boy.

"Oh, and Li-kun, did you know that clones are—"

"That's enough!" Whack!

Tomoyo winced and smiled awkwardly at the arguing couple. It wasn't anymore surprising that they got together. She glanced back at Syaoran who was looking very thoughtful.

"Li-kun, you shouldn't believe Yamazaki-kun. He was just—"

"You know," Li started. The smirk on Eriol's face widened. "I think Yamazaki is right about clones." Tomoyo sweatdropped. "Well, based on my experience and observation, I'd say it's true. Especially when it comes to the clone of Hiiragizawa here."

Eriol grinned at him. "You know, I think you're right, Li-san."

"Ohayo, minna-san!" Sakura went in brightly, greeting the others as well. Tomoyo smiled at her warmly. "Ohayo, Tomoyo-chan!"

"Ohayo, Sakura-chan!"

The Card Mistress placed her satchel on her table and looked at Syaoran and Eriol grinning like two morons, puzzled. "Did I miss something?" she asked Tomoyo.

The ebony-haired girl shook her head smilingly. "Nothing special, Sakura-chan. Just a small explanation from Yamazaki-kun."


"You know, I've been noticing how different Hiiragizawa-kun today," Rika Sasaki remarked as the girls ate lunch under a cherry tree on the grounds.

"You've noticed it too?" Naoko said, shaking her head. "He is quite different today. Like he's not the Hiiragizawa-kun we know."

Tomoyo frowned at them. "Different? I don't see anything."

"That's because you're always with Hiiragizawa-kun," Chiharu pointed out with her chopsticks. Tomoyo glanced at Sakura. "Or maybe, because he's not treating you the way he treats other girls now."

Sakura swallowed her croquet then turned to the girls. "How did he treat the other girls?" she asked, keeping her voice even.

"Well, he doesn't hurt them or anything," Naoko replied. "It's just that he's colder and more aloof. He doesn't help anymore nor does he care whether he bumps into someone or what. He doesn't even smile anymore."

"And I really thought he's a gentleman and all, coming from England," Chiharu remarked, picking up a sushi. "I didn't know he can be pretty mean."

Naoko nodded. "So you've seen him as well?"

"Seen what?" Sakura inquired curiously.

"That he collided into this freshman girl carrying several books," Naoko replied absently. "The books fell, of course, but he didn't even help the poor girl. He just walked past her."

"Are you really sure that's Hiiragizawa-kun?" Tomoyo asked, her voice now clearly worried. She has never heard news like this about Eriol. Eriol has been always the gentleman he is: kind, helpful and smiling.

"Positive, Tomoyo-chan," Chiharu told her firmly.

"But when I was talking to him…" Tomoyo started.

"We told you, he treats you differently than the others," Rika said patiently. "That's because you're his close friend or someone special."

"I think there's another reason why he's acting like that," Sakura said quietly, placing her chopsticks on top of her bento box. "I'll be right back, okay?" She stood up and jogged over to the soccer field.

"Matte, Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo called her worriedly.

"I'll be right back, Tomoyo-chan! I just need to clear something with Syaoran-kun!" She then disappeared around a corner.

Rika looked concerned at Tomoyo. "What do you think happened?"

"I'm not sure," Tomoyo replied. "I hope it's nothing."


"Syaoran-kun! Syaoran-kun!"

The auburn-haired Clan Head looked up and found Sakura waving at him from the top of the hill. He excused himself from the boys playing soccer then jogged over to her.

"What's up?" he asked, frowning at her expression. "Did something happen?"

"Actually, the girls told me something about Eriol-kun…" She looked up at him, biting her lower lip.

Syaoran scowled. He didn't like the sound of that. "What is it?"

Sakura relayed to Syaoran what the girls said about Eriol and the young man's frown deepened with every passing second. By the end of the narration, Syaoran looked very pensive.

"What do you think, Syaoran-kun?" she asked softly.

The Li Clan Head clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. "Where's Daidouji now?"

"I left her with the girls."

"You know, I've been thinking about this since morning," he told her slowly, thinking about the events earlier that day. He looked at her. "Don't you think Hiiragizawa's more gentlemanly towards Daidouji today?"

Sakura thought about it and realized Syaoran was right. Eriol was more helpful, more gentlemanly, and more polite towards Tomoyo. He would do even the smallest favor for her, even though it was just picking up her eraser. He would often offer her assistance in carrying her things, even her lunch box on their way to lunch and he wouldn't leave her until she says so. He was always there for her and once in while, Sakura would spot him a few meters away from Tomoyo wherever she went.

She looked up at Syaoran in realization. "You don't think…"

"Yeah, and I'm betting my sword on it!"


"Daidouji-san, where are you going?"

Tomoyo looked around and forced a smile at Eriol. "Hello, Hiiragizawa-kun," she greeted, injecting a cheerful voice. "I'm on my way to the music room. Are you going there as well?"

"Yes, Tsubasa-sensei wanted me to play the accompaniment for the upcoming competition," he replied nonchalantly. "She told me it's a national competition."

Tomoyo smiled. "It is. That's why I'm starting to get nervous," she told him as they started walking together in the empty corridor. "I'll be performing a solo and I can't make any mistakes."

"I'm sure you can do it!"

"Arigato!"

Tomoyo glanced at Eriol at the corner of her eyes. Nothing was wrong with him. At least, nothing she could detect. He seems to be, well, normal. But then, she remembered what Rika and the others told her.

He treats you differently than the others… That's because you're his close friend or someone special.

She shook her head inwardly. No, of course not. That's not true. There's nothing wrong with him. Maybe they just saw him on a bad time or anything… Eriol would never try to be callous to other people who are not close to him. He was always the gentleman type. The one who helps and smiles warmly at other people, whoever they may be. And besides, they're best friends. Of course he'd treat her differently… Right?

"Daidouji-san?" His voice startled her and she pasted a smile, realizing that she was spacing out. "Is something the matter?"

"Ah, nothing," she said hurriedly. "I was just thinking about the choir." She laughed uneasily. "See? I told you I'm so nervous."

Then she noticed it. How his gaze softened at her. How his dark blue eyes crinkled in a smile. It was so different from the usual Eriol. So weird. So eerie. Typically, it was she who tries to get closer to him. It was she who tries to make him open up. But this time… It was so different… As if he wasn't the Eriol she knew…

"Daidouji-san?"

"Hiiragizawa-kun, I was wondering—"

"Daidouji-san!"

Tomoyo looked around at the voice and stopped. There was no one behind them.

"Daidouji-san!"

She looked out the window beside her. Another Eriol was outside, beside Syaoran and Sakura, looking up at her. "Hiiragizawa-kun?" Suddenly, the Eriol started to run inside the building, followed by the couple.

"What's going on?" she asked, looking at the two Eriols. She glanced at the Eriol running towards her and the Eriol beside her. "You're not Eriol, are you?"

"I am. I am Eriol," he replied calmly. "I am him. He is me."

Tomoyo frowned at the Eriol beside her. "Why are you doing this? Why didn't you tell me that you're not the real one?" she asked him. "What's wrong with you?"

"I came here and was generated into this world for one reason only."

"What are you saying?"

"Look, Daidouji-san, there's something I need to tell you before I leave. Something I really need to ask," he said quickly. Tomoyo stared at him like he just grew another head. "Daidouji-san, will you marry me?"

"What!"

"If the real Eriol asks you to marry him, will you do it? Will you say yes?"

"What!"

"Answer the question, Daidouji-san! Is it a yes or a no?"

Tomoyo took a step backwards, clearly frightened. "I-I don't know… I have no idea—"

"C'mon! Just answer it!"

The young girl stared at him with wide eyes. She wasn't expecting this. No, not this, especially not from Eriol Hiiragizawa. Her best friend. Her confidant. A marriage proposal? Even though it was his clone, Eriol did mention that the clone was his half, a part of him.

Does that mean…?

"Daidouji-san!"

She looked around and saw Eriol running towards her. She then looked at Eriol beside her. "Why are you asking me this?"

"Just answer the question and I'll be gone before you can say 'Hiiragizawa'."

"But I don't—"

"Daidouji-san, after five years, after college, after everything, will you marry me?"

She stared at the Eriol in front of her, her heart racing. What should I say? What must she say? Would she say no and deny her feelings? Or would she say yes and ruin everything?

I can't say yes… What if this is just a dream? What if this ruins our friendship? What if he distances himself from me after this? What if? What if? What if?

She'll just have to make a choice, won't she? She'll just have to follow her heart, won't she?

"Daidouji-san!"

"All right!" she cried, closing her eyes. "All right! Yes, I'll marry you! After college!" She hesitantly opened her eyes and saw the Eriol in front of her smiling. Smiling the smile she had always loved to see. That soft smile that makes her feel special.

"I'll take your word for it…" he said softly. He then turned to the wide-eyed and open-mouthed Eriol a few feet away from them. Tomoyo paled at the sight of him. "She's all yours, partner!" And with that, he disappeared into smoke.


Yahoo! Chapter 3! One more chapter and I'll finally finish the story! Yippee! What do you think? Is it too fast? Yes… Erie told me it was too fast… I guess it really was too fast… But I like it… Oh, and sorry for the cliffhanger… I just love suspense…

And so… will all Tomoyo's questions be answered? Will Eriol finally admit everything? Will Tomoyo be able to bring back the colors on her face? Will Eriol be able to pick up his fallen jaw on the floor? Will I ever get back my lost Swiss knife? And will I ever get a boyfriend this college? OMG! (I'll tell Leander-nii-chan about this!) Oh, shut up, Seisuke!

You have to review to find out the next chapter of… (drum roll!) Double Trouble!

Ah, what the heck!