Do You Remember

by Regina

Eriol Hiiragizawa

Tomoyo Daidouji

Chapter Six:

Dates, Apologies and Conditions

The four of them waited for Wei as he got the food ready on their table. Well… there were two tables. One for the couple and one for Eriol and Tomoyo. Each was separated in two rooms. So they could be private. So that no two could disturb the other. So no one would know what the other was doing and talking about.

Syaoran and Sakura's Dining Room

"Hey, do you think they'll be all right? You know the two of them. They might destroy the other dining room." Sakura said. "Don't worry. My ancestor wouldn't do anything to hurt her." Syaoran replied. "Remember what happened when we told Eriol about Clow and Rumiko?" Sakura asked. "Yeah. He was so calm." He replied. "But I wonder why he's so bad to her when he could just be nice." She said. "Well, that's Hiiragizawa to you." He replied.

Eriol and Tomoyo's Dining Room

The both of them ate quietly. Neither wanted to brake the uncomfortable silence that was lingering in the air. Because one was afraid of how the other might react. Of what the other might say. And what the other might feel. That was how Eriol and Tomoyo feels now. But since the silence is deafening Wei, who was waiting for someone to order him something, he chose to brake the silence. "Mistress Tomoyo looks very beautiful tonight, doesn't she, Master Eriol?" he said, which made Tomoyo feel uneasy. Eriol took a glance at her and replied, "Very." Tomoyo was furious. Some men on the outside who have seen her would have already got down on their knees and had asked her hand for marriage! But this one acted as if she was nothing. Tomoyo tried to calm her nerves down and try to eat. Wei regretted saying that, for he thought Eriol was a complete gentleman. Had he proved wrong? "Wei!" Syaoran called from the other room. "Please excuse me." Wei said and dashed to the other room.

Syaoran and Sakura

When Wei came into view and was standing by their table, Sakura immediately asked him how the other two were doing. Wei told them what happened and Syaoran popped a vein or two on his head and one on his fist. "Why is he doing that?" Syaoran asked. "I don't know." Sakura said. "I'm going to kick his ass when Tomoyo's not in my view." He said.

Eriol and Tomoyo

"Why are you doing this to me, Hiiragizawa-kun?" Tomoyo asked. "Doing what to you, Daidouji-san?" Eriol asked back. "Pulling pranks on me. Making me feel bad. Making my morning shine lost. Why? Have I done something bad to you?" she said. "Nothing." He replied. "I can't stand this." She said. She picked up her purse and dashed to the other room.

The Other Dining Room

Syaoran was very furious when Tomoyo burst into their room and said, "Thanks for dinner, Li. I must be going now, Sakura. Bye!" "Hiiragizawa!" Syaoran yelled when he heard the door open and close. "Syaoran, calm down! I'll talk to Eriol!" she said. The couple went to the other dinning room, which left Wei alone. "I guess I should clean this up." He said, and started cleaning.

Eriol, Syaoran and Sakura

"What did you do this time, Hiiragizawa!" Syaoran yelled as soon as Eriol came to his view. "Nothing." Eriol answered. "Syaoran, I said I'll handle this." Sakura said. The two men stared at Sakura with shock. Well, a man scorned should see a Kinomoto Sakura scorned. Sakura grabbed Eriol by his collar and yelled, "Eriol-kun! What the hell are you doing to Tomoyo-chan! You're making matters worst! We thought we told you that you should make her fall in love with you! Not to make her mad at you!" "Sakura, I'll talk to him. Please go home." Syaoran interrupted. "Yes. I'll try to catch up with Tomoyo-chan." She replied and went out the door after thanking Wei for the wonderful dinner.

Eriol and Syaoran went to his living room and sat down so they could talk. "So, Hiiragizawa, why do these things all of the sudden?" Syaoran asked. "Calm down, will you? I'll tell my story once so listen carefully." Eriol replied.

"Daidouji-san loves Sakura when we were on the 5th grade. She asked me to erase her feelings towards Sakura so she could no longer feel the pain. But as Sakura spent her time with you, Daidouji-san spent her time with me. At that time, watching card capturing days with her, playing match making with her, for a very short series of time we spent together, I fell in love. The day before I left for England, I gave her a letter. It didn't say anything about the ring, which I told all of you about. I wanted her to forget me. Everything about me… and us. I made her give Sakura to you. It was my fault she gave up her love. And now that Clow found Rumiko, I don't have the courage to make her fall in love with me. I caused her pain. So I don't want to cause her more." Eriol finished. "But Hiiragizawa, what would happen if you two don't get together? Do you think Clow will be satisfied?" Syaoran asked. "Just leave me alone." Eriol replied. He went outside and left.

"Hiiragizawa… I didn't know you love her." Syaoran muttered through thin air. 'Now I could tease my ancestor.' He thought.

The phone rang and Syaoran answered it. "Hello, Li residence." He said. "Syaoran, I couldn't find Tomoyo. I went to her house but the maids told me she wasn't there, yet." Sakura said, from the other line. "Just go home. I know everything will be all right." Syaoran replied. "Oh, wait! I can see her, now!" She said. "Okay. I'll follow Hiiragizawa. Bye!" He replied and hanged up.

At The Park

A lady sat down at the swings, frustrated. Who wouldn't be frustrated towards a man who ripped you dress up in the middle of a party, dropped boiling tea over you, made you wait in the cold afternoon at the park, and then says some things that he knows would hurt your feelings! Thinking of what happened from before, tears drop, one by one. Someone's hand cupped and lifted her face so the owner of those hands could see her face. The man squatted so they were on eye's level. "It's dangerous to stay outdoors at night time, Tomoyo." The man said. "It's nothing," she said. she looked down and wiped her tears with his handkerchief. "Do you want me to stay here, Tomoyo?" he asked. "No thanks." She replied. Before he walked away, he kissed her on the cheek. Then he walked out of the park, and out of her sight.

Just then, another hand popped out of no where. "Daidouji-san." He whispered to her ear. Before the hand could touch her shoulder, Tomoyo had already turned around and was fiercely hitting her with her bag. "Let go of me, Hiiragizawa! Please let go of me. Let go of me, please." She muttered, over and over again, while hitting him. Until she was weak. Weak enough to surrender to him. "Tell me, why are you crying?" he asked. She freed her self from him and looked at him with anger. "Hiiragizawa, if looks could kill, you would have died long ago!" she yelled, furiously. "At first, I thought you were the finest gentleman, but then again, you have proved me wrong! You don't even know how to apologize!" she added. "I'm sorry." He interrupted. "W-what?" she asked. "I'm sorry. Please forgive me for my actions." He said. "W-why are you doing this?" she asked. "Please forgive me." He replied, ignoring her. She calmed down and sat down on one of the swings again. "I'll forgive you, Hiiragizawa-kun. Only in one condition." She said. "What condition?" Eriol asked. "Push me." She said. "What are you saying! This is absurd!" he said. "You have to be punished, too, you know. After all that you did." She said. "Okay, okay." He replied with defeat. He went behind her and slowly pushed her. "Do you want to go higher?" he asked. "Sure." She said. but for a very short time, a body guard came and took Tomoyo away. "I bet we're going to be very good friends, Hiiragizawa-kun." She said and went away.

Eriol was left at the park, so late. Her actions just now, reminded him of their past. "It's a pity she wouldn't remember." He whispered to him self. 'A pity I have no chance. A pity I would have to fall for her more.' He thought.

Syaoran and Sakura

"He went after her." Sakura whispered, excitedly. The couple were watching Tomoyo and Eriol. Syaoran followed Eriol, while Sakura followed Tomoyo after her talk with Syaoran. Unfortunately, they met at the park with confusion. Sakura also told Syaoran about that 'man' who Tomoyo was talking to first before Eriol came. "Our plan is working." He said. "We must continue tomorrow, but for now, I'm going home." She replied and went away. Syaoran left, too. Not long after that, Eriol left muttering, "I don't have a chance. For she loves someone else now."

2 Months Later

Eriol and Tomoyo became best friends after what happened at the swings that night. Though Eriol always tried to win her affection, he couldn't. Tomoyo told only him knew about that someone. Someone who she have been seeing since he left.

He was walking in a big building, owned by his only best friend. He remembers the story she told him when he wasn't in her life.

Flashback

This is according to Tomoyo's story.

An 11 year old Tomoyo was sitting on the swings of penguin park. "Miss, why are you crying?" a 14 year old boy asked her. "Something seems to be missing. Or a someone." She replied. "Don't worry. Everything will be all right. I'll help you remember what you have forgotten." He said. "Thank you." She replied. "My name is Rei Hanabishi. What's yours?" he asked. "I'm Tomoyo Daidouji. Nice to meet you." She replied. "From now on, we're friends, okay? Here. A friend's gift." He said and waved goodbye. She looked at his parting gift. A key chain in a form of a doll.

But then, according to her, instead of helping her remember, he made her forget about it more. To forget what she forgot completely.

End Flashback

Tomoyo was sulking in her office, trying to finish her work. She cant concentrate directly because a 'he' was stealing her mind. She signed her last contract for their company and slouched in her chair. She laid her head on her table and sighed. "I didn't know the vice president could slouch like that." Someone said. "Hiiragizawa, please stop doing that." She said. "Doing what?" he asked. "Never mind. Why are you here, anyway?" she asked back. "Is it wrong for a friend to visit?" he said. "No, it's not that." She said. "Well, I'm here to ask a dear friend to eat with me for dinner." He replied. "Yes. But I'm sure that 'dear friend' of yours is very busy to meet someone for the time being." She replied and went outside, which left him inside, alone, again. "Is that someone too important to decline a friend's offer? Too important than me?" he whispered to himself. Just then, the door opened again, which made him look at it. Tomoyo's head popped out. "Hey, he said he can't come. Want to eat dinner with me?" she asked. Then he smiled at her and said, "Sure."

It had been a while since he had locked his feelings inside. A while since the beginning of the pain. The pain only he knew. And no one else noticed. Except his two other friends who didn't let him know they knew what he had been going through since then.

Dinner

After telling the waiter their orders, they started to talk about work and stuff. "So, Hiiragizawa, how is your company?" she asked. "Same old. Same old." He replied. "Hiiragizawa, I only met you two months ago, right?" she asked. "Yes." He said. "You must be annoyed of me. I always ask you the same question." She said. "No. it's okay." He replied.

The waiter came and placed their orders on their table and left. "Hey, Eriol, he proposed to me." She said. Eriol 'accidentally' dropped his spoon and picked it up. He tried not to look shocked in front of her but he couldn't hide it. "Why are you so shocked?" she asked him. This time, he didn't fail to put his mask on. He smiled softly at her to hide the sadness. "Nothing." He replied. "Anyway, guess what I told him." She said. "I bet you said yes." He replied. She smiled up at him brightly and said, "You're right! Hiiragizawa, he's my fiancee now! Isn't it great?" she said. "Yeah. Very great." He replied. "Hiiragizawa, you don't seem happy for me. Is something wrong?" she asked. "Nothing is wrong." He said. "Then why wear a mask?" she asked. "What do you mean by 'mask'?" he asked. "Hiiragizawa, tell me what's wrong." She said. "It's just that… you'll be leaving me." He muttered. "Leaving you? Don't worry. I'll still be your best friend." She said. "When are you going to have the engagement party?" he asked, lazily. "Saturday. 19:00." She said. "Okay." He replied. It's four days from now. It's Monday. "Maybe tomorrow? We planned to got to the beach. I am also planning to introduce him to you, guys." She said with such excitement Eriol had to put the mask on again.

Suddenly, the restaurant played a song. Tomoyo once said it was her favorite song, back when they were still kids. He looked inside the restaurant only to find that the two of them were the only ones left. As the song continues, he felt an urge to ask her to dance with him.

The clouds are floating by… the wind is singing

Even now, along the streets I always used to run along

White flowers are blooming and smiling

But its unstoppable. It chokes me up inside

He'd hate himself if the song reaches its chorus without having to ask her to dance. So he stood up, and bowed in front of her, the way he did in her party another first day as the second time around.

"Daidouji-san, will you dance with me?" he asked. "Sure." She said. They went to the center where the lights dimmed. She placed her hands around his neck and his hands around her waist. "Actually, I was waiting for you to ask me to dance." She said. "It's just that…, when you get married, I may never have the chance to dance with you again," he said. 'Tomoyo, if only you knew.' He thought.

I love the present, but it will always pass…

Its like the fragment of the dream I cried over long ago

The serenity that floats by like a fluffy white cloud

And the worries that make my tears spill over

Are both connected to the precious future

So…

Eriol listened to Tomoyo babbling about the engagement party. And yet, she was also babbling something about how the wedding should look like. He was already hurting inside. But he doesn't want her to know. Doesn't want her to see. But he's only human.

Even when tomorrow comes

Even when someday I become an adult

I'm sure I'll always remember

That you were here with me

'Tomoyo, I wouldn't have let go of Kaho of it wasn't for you.' He thought.

I'll never forget

Even when I'm in the very ends of this vast world

For this moment that will never disappear

Everyone, I thank you

'I wouldn't have been happy and be the real person I am. I wouldn't be Eriol Hiiragizawa if I haven't met you.' He thought. 'I wouldn't have loved if it wasn't for you. I wouldn't have understood its real meaning. And for whom I really felt it for.' He thought.

Don't forget that I was here with you…

No matter where you are in this vast world

For these feelings that will never disappear

Everyone, I thank you

This song could be heard on CCS The Movie 2.

After Tomoyo's babbling, and after the end of their dance, they stayed like that. He rested his head on her shoulder. She was getting confused. Why is he acting this way? When she made a move to let go of him, he refused. He only hugged her tighter. He didn't want to let go of her. "Hiiragizawa, what's wrong? You seem quiet all of a sudden." She said. "Daidouji-san, I don't want to lose you." He whispered. "What?" she asked. "I don't want to lose you." He repeated fiercely. He grabbed her right hand and raised it to her eye level. "W-what are you doing!" she yelped. "This is the cause. I am the reason of all of these." He said fiercely. "What are you saying!" she yelped, again. "This ring. It must be destroyed." He said and tried to take the ring of her finger."No, don't!" she yelped. She yanked her hand away from him and slapped him across his face. "What are you doing! You were the one who told me never to take this ring off!" she yelled. For a moment there, her ring was taken off. But it was quickly worn back to her finger. "Sorry. I… maybe I'm just afraid to lose you." He whispered. "Yes. That must be it." She said. She touched his cheek where she had slapped him. She looked at him, concerned and took his hand towards the exit. "Mr.! you haven't paid for your meal, yet!" someone called. Eriol gave him more than enough money for what they have eaten.

The two of them went into his car and he drove her home. He watched her as she watched the sky outside the passenger seat's window. "Sorry about earlier." He said. "I understand." She said. "I shouldn't have done that." He said. "Hiiragizawa, when we arrive to my house, please come inside." She said. "Sure." He replied. For a short time, they arrived in front of her house and he parked it there, outside. He turned to her when she saw him looking at him. "I hope you understand why I shouldn't help you with your seat belt anymore." He said. "Yes." She replied. She easily took of the seat belt and was surprised when the door was opened by him. "Thank you." She muttered when she went out of his car. She led him into her house and made him sit on the couch while she get something. Then she came back with a first aid kit. "What are you going to do with that?" he asked. "Hiiragizawa, your cheek is swollen. And then you dare ask me why I go and get my first aid kit?" she said. "Okay." He replied. "Actually, I don't need this at all, don't I? I just need a wet cloth." She said. She stood up and went to her room to get a small piece of cloth that is enough to handle heavy water to damp on his cheek. When she managed to find one, she immediately went back to the living room. She sat beside him and cupped his face. She made him look at her. But they only ended to look into each other's eyes. The next thing she knew was that their faces was only less than an inch closer to each other. But then, she placed her attention on his cheek and damped the cloth on it. She missed the face Eriol made when she ignored their situation. Disappointment. "Hiiragizawa, I had a vision a while ago." She said. "What was it?" he asked. "You and I, we met here the first time 2 months ago, am I correct?" she asked. "Yes." He answered. "My vision. It looked like we were only children. And you, kissing the back of my palm." She said. "Really?" he said. "Yes. But I must be my imagination." She said. "Yes. Only your imagination." He replied.