New Chappie! We're so… so… so… SORRY for this very, very late update. It's just that life has been so busy and—Well, anyway, the story continues on… Please review!

And we're really SORRY! Gomen-nasai!

The tension inside the taxi is so electrifying it could burn.

Sakura didn't know why this was happening to her, of all people. She tried to remember any crime… any transgression she had committed for deserving this kind of situation.

Oh, yeah… she wanted to kick herself, I was the one who invited Touya here… Baka!

She really wished she had kept her big mouth shut.

Now, her older brother is staring coolly at her 'date' from the rearview mirror as if taunting the latter to lose his temper. As for Li, Sakura could tell from the way he clenched his fists that he was seething, though from what Sakura dared not ask.

So, the poor girl decided to calm Li down. She glared at Touya reproachfully until he looked away, (though Sakura didn't see the small smile that formed around his lips) and turned to the person beside her.

"Why are you so angry?" She whispered quietly.

Li looked at her, "Ask your damned brother," he replied loudly. Touya glanced at the mirror and narrowed his eyes dangerously.

"Li!"

"What?"

"Stop it."

"Why should I?" He countered with a sideways glance at Touya.

"Why are you being like that?" Sakura asked, irritated. Here she was, trying to patch everything up and the stupid doa'ho was ruining all of it, "By your tone one would think I planned all this to happen so you wouldn't get too close."

Uh-oh…

Wrong move.

Now he'll think I did plan this all along…

Sakura shrank at the intensified glare Li gave him and shut up.

The only person who seems cheerful is the taxi driver who was giving them amused glances, undoubtedly thinking they were in a Romeo-Juliet situation.

Sakura almost sighed thankfully when the taxi stopped in front of their house. Touya got out immediately but waited for his younger sister to step out of the cab too. Li's angry eyes followed Touya's movement and gritted his teeth.

"So, this is goodbye then," Sakura said blankly.

The angry boy's eyes turned to her and narrowed, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"No, you won't," she shook her head vehemently.

"Yes, I will," Li's expression turned mocking, "What makes you think I wouldn't?"

"What makes you think I would?" Sakura answered back.

"You would," Li said confidently, "Because—"

"Because? Go on…"

"Because—" Li leaned closer to her and looked outside the window where Touya was watching them with impatience and suspicion. Sakura followed his gaze. But when she returned her attention on Li, his face was hovering inches over her face and was smiling softly.

"Because of this."

And Li kissed her, slowly and softly—

—On the forehead.

It was over in an instant, like it never happened. Li drew back and stared out the window with a smile on his face while Sakura was just sitting there, unable to comprehend what happened.

"C'mon, Kaijuu!"

Touya had opened the door and was trying to pull Sakura out of the cab. Seemingly out of a trance, Sakura followed her brother inside the house with a last glance at Li and the laughing taxi driver.

Inside her room, after a scold from her brother and a refreshing bath, Sakura thought of what happened and touched her forehead gently while looking in the mirror. She wasn't so sure of what happened, or why she was feeling so—so alive after that one kiss when it was only on her forehead. She didn't know why that sweet smile kept on appearing on her face and why she felt so excited at the prospect that the next day will soon come.

All she knows is that Li was right.

She is going to see him tomorrow.

Li was humming a simple tune while driving towards Sakura's house. For some reason, the thought of seeing her again made him happy. He chuckled when he remembered the dazed expression she had after he kissed her on the forehead last night, not to mention Touya's rather annoyed one.

At first, he intended to kiss her—really kiss her, but the though of taunting Sakura and her brother appealed to him more. The real kiss would come later and if fate would be kind to him, Sakura's irritating brother would also there to watch.

He stopped yards away from Sakura's house and got his phone. He dialed Sakura's number, and after three rings, she answered.

"Hello, beautiful. Want to go out with me today?" Li asked with an innocent voice, when all the while he wanted to hint about the forehead incident last night.

"Uhm, I kinda just woke up. Can you pick me a little while later?" Sakura asked quietly, "Maybe about seven?"

"But I'm on the way now," Li said playfully, "I'll just wait for you inside your house, then."

"That's not a very good idea."

"Why not?"

The irritated Sakura came back, "Don't play dumb with me. You know why not."

"Look, I'm not going there to provoke your brother or anything. I just want to wait for you. See your house, that's all."

Sakura sighed, "Okay fine. Do what you want."

"Thanks!"

Li replaced his phone triumphantly and drove towards her house.

"Touya, Li's coming over, let him in okay?" Sakura chided, "I'll just take a shower and dress up."

"He can wait outside."

"Touya!"

Touya impatiently put down the newspaper he was reading and gave Sakura a long look.

"You like him, don't you?"

Sakura blushed.

"Stop saying nonsense," she said almost defensively.

Touya's eyes narrowed, "If you don't like him, why do you go out with him?"

Sakura flustered, "D-did I say anything about not liking him?"

Touya stared at her blush and shrugged, seemingly convinced.

"Fine. But make it fast before I blow him out of the house."

"Arigatou, Onii-chan."

"Hmph."

Sakura sped up the stairs and rapidly took a bath. She was picking up something to wear when she heard Li's car and the doorbell ring.

"Oh, shit!"

She immediately picked a random dress on her closet, wore it, applied light powder and lip gloss, combed her hair and ran downstairs.

"She may, but I don't," Touya stated.

Trouble…

"But then, you're not the one I'm dating, are you?" Li answered calmly.

"Li!"

The two guys looked towards Sakura and stared.

She was wearing this cute yellow sundress that stops above her knees. Sakura looked at her dress ang lightly smacked herself. It was one of the costumes Tomoyo loved to make for her. (Just imagine! wink) It was an off shoulder dress with a ruffled skirt. She looked like a child and a lady at the same time, her air of sophistication and innocence accented by the yellow dress.

Li looked awestruck, while Touya looked reprimanding.

Swallowing her humiliation for wearing such a childish dress, she went to Li.

"C'mon, Li. Let's go," she looked at her older brother, "Tell tou-chan that I'm with Li, ne?" when Touya didn't answer, she sighed.

"Sakura… Let's go." Li said commandingly, nodded at Touya and went out the door.

When they were inside Li's car, Sakura looked at Li's quiet profile. He hadn't said anything about her dress, so she guessed it was okay with him. But he was too quiet, not even exasperating or teasing her. No words about the kiss—wait a minute, why would she think he would want to talk about that kiss, anyway?

"Li?"

"Hmm?"

"What did Touya tell you?"

Apparently, it was the wrong subject to take for he immediately assumed an irritated mood.

"Nothing. Only that, when I entered your living room, he immediately told me that a guy like me don't deserve a girl like his sister," he gripped the steering wheel, "He totally ruined my mood back there. So I told him, regardless of what he thinks, that sister of his still likes me."

Sakura looked away and tried to hide the blush forming on her face. Fortunately, (or unfortunately) Li was too annoyed to notice.

"By the way, did Tomoyo made that dress for you?"

This time, she could not hide the blush.

"Yeah, what of it?"

"Nothing. You look beautiful."

"Thanks."

Sakura was feeling something odd. She doesn't what it was. But something is changing between her and Li. This relationship was only because of the dented car—nothing more. She was dating Li in exchange her foolishness in the parking area—nothing more. They were only acquaintances, not even friends—nothing more.

Nothing more… Somehow that sounds lonely and so wrong.

Maybe if she could give Li a chance. If she would abandon the thought that she was only going out with him because of payback, then—

Maybe she could grow to like him…

"Are you finished trying to melt my face?" Li suddenly grinned and looked at her, "Because you know, that stare is not going to do it."

Sakura snapped her eyes away from his face, dismayed.

Did I think for one moment there I could like him? Ugh! Sakura thought disgustedly.

"Where are we going?" Sakura asked haughtily, trying to ignore Li's silly grin.

"To the mall."

"Oh."

"Got somewhere else in mind?"

"No, the mall's just fine."

After about fifteen minutes, Li parked his car and they started for the mall. There weren't many people. Li and Sakura began to shop, that is, Sakura began to shop with Li tailing behind her.

After about two hours, Li was ready to give up and leave Sakura behind. They went into all the boutiques the mall could offer and came out seemingly have bought half of the boutique. Li was holding half of what Sakura shopped and the other half was on Sakura's hands.

"Are all these for you?" Li asked irritably.

"No," Sakura answered, looking at some dress, "It's for all of my friends, my brother, and tou-chan."

Li's eyes widened, "Did I miss something, or is it Christmas already?"

Sakura shot him a glare.

"You were the one who suggested we go to a mall."

"Yes," Li said patiently, "But not to shop—to EAT."

"Okay, fine," Sakura sighed resignedly, "Let's eat now."

Li raised his arms loaded with shopping bags, "With all these?"

Sakura's brows shot up, "What's wrong with that?"

"Let's just eat a take-out ice cream, okay?" Li concluded, "I don't want to look like a sissy who follows his girlfriend through her shopping."

Sakura giggled, "You are a sissy."

Li smiled, "I may be, but they don't know that. Nor will they know that."

"Okay, then. Let's go."

They approached an ice cream stand and ordered for each, chocolate for Sakura and vanilla for Li. They were walking while eating and talking. It was the first time they were in a friendly conversation and each never wanted it to end, so they only talked about safer topics. Maybe it was because they were starting to accept each other as—friends.

Suddenly, Sakura looked at Li strangely.

"What?" Li asked.

"Hold these," Sakura said and unloaded all the shopping bags on her arms to Li.

"What the—"

Li was irritated. They were going on a pleasant morning when Sakura ruined it by giving him all the bags and leaving nothing for herself. It may have been okay if the loads are light.

But damn it, they're heavy!

"And what are you gonna hold?" He said, his voice full of disbelief and displeasure.

But Sakura didn't answer. Instead, she reached for her handkerchief inside her pocket and wiped something off Li's lips.

"There, now you look clean again." Sakura exclaimed shyly and took her share of bags again.

Li caught a glimpse of her hanky and saw a smear of vanilla ice cream.

RRRIIINNNGGGG!

Sakura's phone rang as they were unloading the bags on Li's car.

"Tomoyo?"

"Sakura, where are you?"

Sakura looked at Li and mouthed Tomoyo. He only nodded and went on to arrange the bags. She looked at him strangely, trying to figure out what happened. For some reason, Li was looking—no, staring at her warmly. His eyes remind her of melted chocolate and she was constantly reminding herself not to look at his eyes for too long.

Who could blame her anyway? She loves chocolate.

"I'm with Li," Sakura replied, and kept the phone inches away when Tomoyo squealed.

"That's very nice, Sakura! I'm with Eriol," Tomoyo went on, "We were thinking of watching a movie at my house. Wanna come?"

"I'm not sure if Li has other appointments," Sakura hesitated.

"I don't."

She looked at Li but had to look away for there goes again the melted chocolate.

"Heard that?"

"Yeah," Tomoyo said excitedly, "Come here right away!"

"What do you want to watch? Card Captor the Movie or Horror Movie I?" Tomoyo asked.

"The Horror Movie I!"

"The Horror Movie I!"

"Card Captor the Movie…" Sakura said lamely.

All looked at her and she shrank.

"Oops!" Tomoyo said sheepishly, "Sakura's scared of movies like Horror Movie I, so…"

"You are?" Li asked with mirth, "I thought only kids are scared of movies like that!"

Sakura flared, "I'm not scared!"

"Yes, you are. Daidouji-san said so."

"I'm not!" Sakura said, "Tomoyo you can play that—that Horror Movie I. I don't care."

"Sakura—"

"Go on," she looked at her friend.

"Well, okay," Tomoyo shrugged.

Eriol was only watching with amusement, but said, "Wait!"

"Why don't we buy donuts first? I'm sure it would be more fun with donuts than popcorn, don't you think?" Eriol suggested.

"Yippee!" Tomoyo said, her sparkling eyes directed towards Eriol.

"Li and I will go."

Li nodded at Eriol and looked at Sakura, "Don't play the tape yet, baby chicken."

"Call me that again, and you'll never see daylights forever!" Sakura threatened.

Li chuckled and went out of the room with Eriol.

"Sakura, what if I tell you I like Eriol-kun?"

Sakura looked at Tomoyo, who was looking at some distant space. They were sitting at the couch, waiting for the two guys to return with the donuts.

"Do you?"

"Yes, I do."

"Really?" Sakura asked, her eyes full of excitement. This was the very first time Tomoyo got attracted to a member of the opposite sex. Before, her only hobby was thinking of other cute costumes for Sakura to wear.

"He's so handsome and mature for his age," Tomoyo went on dreamily, "We have so much in common, it's so scary. He was the one who drove me home last night and he was so sweet and thoughtful and a real gentleman, I can't believe he's real!"

Sakura hugged her friend happily, "I'm so happy for you!"

They separated, laughing. But Tomoyo's face suddenly turned sad, "But I don't think he likes me."

"Why would you say that?" Sakura asked, bewildered, "You're so beautiful and interesting and everything he can want in a girl! Why wouldn't he like you—Who wouldn't?"

Tomoyo sighed, something she did so rarely that Sakura was amazed, "Oh, I don't know. He treats me like I'm some child."

"That's just your imagination," Sakura insisted.

Ding! Dong!

"They're here!"

Li and Eriol were escorted in the room by a maid, with a box of donuts with them.

"Here they are!" Eriol said.

Sakura took the box and looked inside, "Didn't you order any chocolate-filled donut?"

Li looked at her, "No. We didn't you liked that."

"She likes it alright," Tomoyo said, "She never eats anything else."

"Really?" Li asked.

Eriol smacked his forehead, "I knew we should've got one, Li."

"No, no," Sakura assured them, "It's okay really. I can eat that chocolate popcorn Tomoyo has."

"Sorry, Sakura-chan," Eriol said apologetically.

She smiled at him, "Told you it's okay."

Sakura looked at Li, but he was not saying anything.

She shrugged at his bothered expression and they all sat on the couch, while Tomoyo inserted the tape. Sakura could feel the fear and apprehension she feels whenever she knew she would be watching a scary movie. She doesn't know why she still hasn't outgrown her fear of ghosts, when everybody else has.

When the lights went out, she hang onto Li's arm, but was surprised to find Tomoyo beside her.

"Where's Li?"

Tomoyo also looked bewildered, while Eriol smiled.

"I don't know, he just went out," Tomoyo answered.

"Hmph," Sakura said, "And there he was calling me chicken baby. Where he'd go?"

Eriol chuckled.

The movie began with the credits. And Sakura snuggled closer to Tomoyo. The first scenes were not as scary as Sakura thought so she relaxed and let go of Tomoyo's poor arm.

"Excuse me," Tomoyo said, "I'll just go to the bathroom."

Eriol nodded, seemingly engrossed with the movie. And Sakura, thinking that the movie was not so scary after all, assented.

The scenes began to change after that. The characters' house blacked out and they were separated. Sakura edged a little closer to Eriol and held his arm tightly. Eriol seemed surprised and was merely amused of Sakura's behavior. Nevertheless, he let her hold him like that.

And then, one of the characters heard footsteps, and Sakura tensed. Suddenly, a girl with long hair out of nowhere appeared before the character and he screamed.

With this, Sakura whined and buried her face on Eriol's chest, her hands wounding up his neck.

"Sakura-chan… it's just…" Eriol stuttered, but held her close just the same. He then got the remote control and turned the television off. But Sakura remained motionless, but buried her face deeper on Eriol's chest.

A minute after, they heard a gasp and something that hit the floor.

They both looked up and Sakura saw with dismay Tomoyo's shocked face and Li's raging one.

She immediately detached herself form Eriol.

"Tomoyo, it isn't what it looks like," she tried to explain to Tomoyo's betrayed look, but failed when the other girl ran outside the room—crying.

Eriol quickly stood up and motioned to follow her, but saw Li standing with a raging look on his face.

"Li…"

But was cut off when he, also, walked out.

Eriol looked at Sakura with helplessness and Sakura thought, It's obvious he likes Tomoyo too.

"Sakura-chan… I—"

"Go find her, Eriol-kun," Sakura said urgently, "Before it's too late."

"But what about Li?" he asked uncertainly, the air of chivalry surrounding him.

"He'll be okay."

"But—"

"Go," Sakura said, "She's not as strong as she seem."

And Eriol went.

Sakura was left alone, confused and worried. She knew she has nothing to be afraid of, for Eriol would explain everything out to Tomoyo. Sakura was sure Tomoyo would believe right away, for her friend knew how mush of a scaredy-cat Sakura was.

But what about Li?

Yes, what about him? What right does he have to get angry? We're not a couple. We're not even anything. What nerve he has.

And then suddenly, she caught sight of an object near the door. Her heart nearly stopped. It must be the thing that she heard was dropped earlier.

It must be why Li left without a reason.

For inside the transparent plastic, Sakura could clearly see a chocolate-filled donut.

Thanks for all those who read this Chappie… We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to:

Miss Gianne Fernandez Lagman, 15 years old, student for sharing an inspiration for the story.

And also for Mrs. Fatima dela Pena for being a very devoted supporter of our story!

And thank you for all those who reviewed!

ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU! P