Disclaimer: I don't own CCS and that's final!
Author's blabbering: Okay, so I basically don't like my work here (Told you it's crappy). Shut the hell up, onii-chan! I really don't know why I wrote this chapter. When did I last update? … Hmm… I don't remember when… and why I wrote this… Hmm…Wait a sec here!I'm pretty sure this isn't my original chapter 10… Onii-chan, did you steal it and edit it again? Anyway, thanks for my lovely reviewers who never get tire reading this (crappy, plot-less, waste-of-time-and-effort) fic. Shut up!
seanjen: another filipino eh? hehe
Akizuki Sai: gomen ne for my review last time... yes, i know it was kinda rude and all... gomen nasai.
Elvirna: I'm still working on them. But it's probably on the next chapter
Majah: that is going to be answered here... if Nakuru-chan and Eriol-kun are related. Who knows... Eriol-kun might've married Nakuru-chan... So sorry if my SxS didn't come out right... I was having a writer's block then... I couldn't think of something cheesier.
cristal-shian: i like british men. they're so... so charming and gentlemanly... when i went to London once, it was, like, you have to say "hi" or smile to everyone... heck! it just reminds me of Paris!
ppear657: pnoi ako! buo aking loob, may agimat ang dugo ko!
gurla-aya: ah, in my house, money is no question.
SO! Here i'm back again! And finally, finally, finally! I'm going to graduate on Monday! (sings)Gra-du-ate! Darn! After those four years of non-stop toture, endless quizzes and assignments, requirements, reports and projects, at last! Darn, Manila Science! And I thought I'd grow tall in that school! I'm so busy, busy, busy! But, what the heck, I'm going to miss the guys and the cats and the whatevers there! Hah, with all the training I got from that wretched (but endearing)school, college will be a cinch!
Just enjoy the chapter and tell me what you feel!
CHAPTER 10: JUST THIS ONCE
"A ball? Tonight? But I haven't got anything to wear?"
Eriol rolled his eyes at the young President who was brushing her hair while sitting on her executive chair, twirling a stray strand around her finger. "I've seen your wardrobe and the number of your clothes in it is enough to dress an entire army."
Tomoyo turned to him, pouting. "Okay, what I said was a little vague, wasn't it? Let me rephrase it," she told him. "I haven't got anything new to wear."
Eriol rolled his eyes yet again. "Even if you buy a new one, the people won't notice it's new so what's the difference?"
She folded her arms across her chest. "You just don't want to go shopping with me!"
"Of course I do! Shopping with you is one of my biggest dreams!"
The young lady raised an eyebrow at him. "I know sarcasm when I hear one, Hiiragizawa-kun," she replied wryly.
"Is it that obvious?" he muttered under his breath and let out a sigh. This was getting hopeless. "Look, Daidouji, if you need a new dress, you could always ask a designer to make one for you. You really don't have to get all fussy and go shopping."
"But it's tonight, unless you forgot what you just told me earlier," she pointed out bluntly. "And unless you know a designer who could make an exquisite dress by tonight…"
Eriol stopped and glared at her. She giggled lightly before turning to her window, humming a soft tune. She had once again succeeded in pointing out how idiotic he can be. Or rather, as Syaoran always pointed out, he is.
"Anyway." He cleared his throat, trying to be in control again. "Before you interrupted me with your I-haven't-got-anything-to-wear crisis, the ball will start at 7 pm sharp so don't be late." He looked preoccupied for a minute and Tomoyo shrugged, brushing her hair again. She was just as uninterested as ever. "Right! On second thought, I should just accompany you just in case you try something again like entering the ball an hour late."
She scowled at him. "I'm a girl! I have every valid reason why I can be fashionably late!"
"Yeah, like my hairdryer wouldn't operate and those kinds of reason," he exclaimed sarcastically, raising an eyebrow. "No, I will pick you up at 6:45. You should be dressed up already by that time. If not, I'll drag you out of your room without a care about your clothes. Got that?"
"What if I'm not wearing anything?" she challenged him.
Eriol shrugged. "Fine by me. I'm not the one who's going to be humiliated anyway."
She smirked at him. "I bet my inheritance you haven't seen a barely-clad woman!"
He gaped at her then rolled his eyes. "You have some nerve opening a topic like that!" And he strode out of her office, wearing a dark scowl for everyone to see.
"You know, Tomoyo-chan, going to the ball isn't a bad idea," Nakuru told her as the two women had lunch together that afternoon. But this time, Tomoyo had called Eriol about it so no more mix-ups between friendly meals and kidnapping.
"It's not?" the younger girl echoed dumbly.
Nakuru nodded, her long auburn hair bouncing on her shoulders. "Yep! You get to buy and wear pretty dresses!" she said like an innocent child. "And you get to dance with cute guys and get to eat good food!"
Tomoyo laughed softly. "Nakuru-chan!"
"I'm not kidding!" the cinnamon-eyed lady said, eating quite a large piece of cake. "And you also get to dance with the cutest guy in London!"
"Oh? And who is that?"
"Eriol!" the girl answered nonchalantly.
Tomoyo nearly spat out the orange juice she was drinking. She coughed and cleared her throat, a napkin over her mouth. Apparently, she didn't expect that. "Nakuru-chan, it's not nice to joke about those things," she chided gently. "You know how sensitive Hiiragizawa-kun's feelings are."
"But I'm not joking, Tomoyo-chan!" Nakuru argued, not noticing the fact that Tomoyo was gulping her juice continuously. "Ask every single girl in this corporation and they'll tell you. It's either Syaoran or Eriol. And since Syaoran isn't here, then it means I'm talking about Eriol."
Tomoyo wiped a clean napkin across her mouth. "Isn't that a bit vague, Nakuru-chan?"
"Vague? Which part?"
The raven-haired President sighed and waved a hand dismissively. "Never mind, Nakuru-chan!"
"Anyway, I've been noticing something during these past few days," Nakuru started again and Tomoyo looked up from her pasta. "At first, it was Ms. Mizuki who was noticing it and now, I realized it was true."
Tomoyo smiled politely. Eriol had once told her that Nakuru is the type of girl who never runs out of stories. It's like she gets her infinite dose of stories from her infinite amount of energy or vice versa. And the only way to deal with it is to groan. At least that's what Eriol does. Tomoyo, on the other hand, would just smile politely, not wanting to offend her.
"What is it, Nakuru-chan?" she asked flippantly.
Nakuru grinned at her, licking an icing on her lips. While Eriol thought it was unpleasant (she did it during their last dinner), Tomoyo thought it was adorable. "Well, it's very obvious really. Even the other girls, I asked them and they say it was true!"
"O… Kay…" she said slowly and uncertainly. She still has no idea what the auburn-haired girl was talking about.
"I'm sure you have noticed it too since you're always with him! I mean, you two never separate. You always stick together like glue and paper. I'm really surprised you could stand his attitude."
Tomoyo could feel her head pounding. "Okay, Nakuru-chan, what were you going to tell me?"
"Oh, yeah! I'm sure you'd seen it a lot of times, considering that you're always together—" Tomoyo drew her breath sharply. "—Anyway, I'm just going to confirm it. I just noticed how often Eriol blushes these days!"
No one spoke for a minute and Tomoyo used that minute to digest everything Nakuru just said. Then, the President laughed heartily and loudly that few of the employees were looking at her, bewildered.
"That's a laugh, Nakuru-chan!" the younger girl said, dabbing the corner of her eyes with her handkerchief. "Of course I've seen him blush a lot of times! It's probably his favorite habit, aside from muttering under his breath."
The cinnamon-eyed girl grinned. "So it's true then? That he blushes?" she said laughingly and Tomoyo nodded. "So Syaoran was lying about Eriol having no blood in his system!"
Tomoyo faltered to a smile. "Huh?"
The older lady continued anyways, not paying attention to the other girl's clueless look. "Syaoran always remarked that Eriol is a vampire since he's so pale and cold and doesn't like to go out often. He told me that I shouldn't be surprised if Eriol suddenly attacked a girl and tried to suck her blood."
Tomoyo rubbed her forehead. "Er, nice description, Nakuru-chan…" She laughed uneasily.
"But now, I've proved it's not true!" Nakuru said triumphantly. "Because the only reason why vampires hunt for blood is because they have no blood! Eriol, on the other hand, blushes so that means he has blood! And since he has blood, it means he's not a vampire!"
This time, the young Head blinked twice, apparently lost. She then smiled slightly. "That's a nice conclusion…" She couldn't think of any more words that are appropriate and polite. Obviously, the word nice is doing a good job.
"I'm sure Ms. Mizuki is going to be happy about it!"
"Happy about what?"
"About the fact that Eriol blushes!"
Tomoyo frowned. Seemingly, she has no idea what the girl was talking about. "What do you mean?"
"Oh, it's really nothing! It's just that Ms. Mizuki has a little crush over Eriol and she fears that the cute little CEO is a bit inhuman because of his inability to blush!"
"Oh…"
And 'Oh' was the word Tomoyo only uses when she concludes something, is speechless about something or is pissed off about something. Whatever that something is, Nakuru would probably never know.
Later that evening…
Eriol grumbled to himself as he glanced at his wristwatch while pacing inside the Daidouji parlor. 6:50. They should've left 5 minutes ago if Tomoyo had not decided to chat with God-knows-who on the phone for almost an hour and a half. He never liked waiting, especially if he's punctual.
Anna, one of the maids, brought over some tea, as ordered by the Majordomo, Alfred. He was just drinking his third cup when Kaye entered, bowed and announced her Mistress's name.
Eriol nearly choked on his tea when Tomoyo stepped in the parlor, looking every bit like a movie star going to an awarding night.
Her halter silk evening gown was blue violet that changes shade whenever she'd move, held only by a silver choker around her neck. It was simple and elegant but fashionable. Half of her hair was tied in a chignon on top of her head while the rest hung down her back. Her arms were covered by long white gloves and the only accessory she was wearing were silver earring with diamond inset. She also grew a couple of inches because of the heels of her sandals. Still, Eriol was taller than her.
"Gomen ne," she apologized sheepishly. He noticed she wasn't wearing much make-up except for powder and lip gloss. "Kaye-chan told me that my hair was quite difficult to fix since it was so long."
Usually, the cool and composed Eriol Hiiragizawa would've countered that excuse effortlessly but this time, the Eriol Hiiragizawa was reduced to a puddle of blue and black. "Er… It's okay, really…"
She grinned. "I bet—"
"No! No bets tonight!" he cut her off. She pouted. "No pouting, no teasing, no smirking, no grinning, no whining, no cajoling, no incessant chatting…" And no adorable, puppy smiles.
She saluted, giggling. "Aye, aye, captain!"
He groaned. "Let me add one more thing in that list. No giggling!" At least he was thankful he could say full sentences now.
He then offered his arm to her, which she took smilingly. They were supposed to take his car but decided they should just take the silver limousine as what Tomoyo had suggested. That way he wouldn't wrinkle his pants and get all cross and everything.
They arrived at the ballroom of The Ritz, one of the classiest and most chic hotels in London. And since most of the guests of the ball were rich and famous people across London and Europe, reporters, paparazzi and photographers bombarded them when the couple got out. Tomoyo smiled a couple of times before Eriol had pulled her inside and away from those pesky reporters. But it's not that she wasn't known. On the contrary, she'd been featured in several business magazines as the new Princess of Wall Street.
"Eriol!" one of the men called his attention, waving at him a few feet away.
The aforementioned young man was about to leave when a certain President pulled his arm, pouting. "You're not going to leave me, are you?" she asked innocently, but it barely concealed the venom in her voice. "I don't know anyone here. If you leave me, then I'll leave the ballroom."
He let out a sigh. "Did you really think I'd leave you?"
"You were thinking!" she countered pointedly.
"Fair enough!"
Eriol steered her towards the cute (That's what Tomoyo told him) silver-haired young man who just called him a while ago. Tomoyo pasted her brightest, most adorable smile.
"Hey, Eriol! Long time no see!" The man shook hands with him then turned to Tomoyo. "And you must be Lady Tomoyo Daidouji. Prettier in person really. I'm Lenard Fontaine, another friend of Eriol here."
"Oh! Nice to meet you then!" she replied, blushing slightly. "Wait… Aren't you that guy in the newspaper yesterday? The one who was sponsoring a formula one race at the London stadium?"
Lenard chuckled. "So you were reading the sports section."
"I was hoping to find something more interesting to read other than digits."
Eriol rolled his eyes. Looks like the little Princess has some company now. "I'll see you guys a little later okay?" he told them, forcing a grin that looked more like a grimace. He then walked away, not even waiting for Tomoyo's reply.
Tomoyo frowned at her CEO's sudden exit. But she was more disturbed about the expression on his face. He looked like he could murder someone on the spot. She glanced around, trying to find someone who might've pissed off Eriol, and when she found no one, she frowned in concern.
She had already known what type of person Eriol is. Well, almost. He might be cold and aloof sometimes but he would never leave her hanging in the air like that. He was a gentleman through and through. That's why it was quite disturbing that he suddenly left her like that.
He must've seen someone. He couldn't have gotten irritated by just standing there.
" Lady Daidouji, is something wrong?" Lenard pulled her out of her reverie. "You seem to be bothered by something."
She stared oddly at him for a split second then pasted a smile. "Sorry for spacing out. I was just thinking of someone…"
The man smiled at her fondly. "It's not your boyfriend, is it?"
Tomoyo laughed behind a delicate hand. "Ah, no. I don't have a boyfriend."
"Well, then…" He started speaking again. This time, Tomoyo had tuned down his voice, letting her lilac eyes roam to ballroom, wondering where Eriol had gone to.
Eriol Hiiragizawa was annoyed. There were only a few people who could annoy him like that: Li Syaoran, Nakuru Akizuki and Tomoyo Daidouji. And of those three people, only Tomoyo Daidouji could rattle him most out of his mind.
Well, I might as well include Lenard Fontainehe thought irritably.
He didn't know why he was annoyed. All he knew what that he was annoyed. No questions asked about that.
A waiter passed by him and he picked up a flute of champagne. He then stood at one corner of the room, beside the glass window, surveying the people around him. Once in a while, someone would recognize him. He would say 'hello', 'how are you', smile politely then 'goodbye'. It had always been that way for him whenever there are social gatherings like this. But this time, his eyes were laid on a certain person named Tomoyo Daidouji.
He watched her laugh light-heartedly with Lenard who was looking at her intently as well. She seemed to be having more fun with Lenard than with him. He felt a stab somewhere inside him.
You're jealous, admit it, his subconscious snickered.
I'm not. Why would I be?
Sure you are. You're just afraid to admit it because of your ego.
"I'm not!" he said quite loudly that some of the guests looked at his direction. He ignored them, still observing the young President over his flute.
"You're not what?"
He turned his gaze to the voice and saw Kaho Mizuki standing beside him in a maroon velvet gown. He studied her for a minute then averted his eyes. "I didn't know you were invited."
"You must've forgotten that several important people know me as well, including the Prime Minister," she replied lightly. "Tell me, Eriol, something's bothering you, isn't it?"
"It's that obvious, huh?" he said sarcastically then drank his champagne.
Kaho chuckled. "Cynic, as always," she remarked. "I'm used to that already, Eriol." She followed his gaze and smiled knowingly. "Ah, it's Miss Tomoyo. I knew you'd fancy her sooner or later."
Eriol waved an impatient hand. "You're not fit for a comedian. Your jokes are lame."
"You thought I was joking? How cruel."
The young man said nothing as he continued to gaze at the raven-haired princess. Of course he didn't like her. Their relationship was purely professional. No emotions involved. He might sometimes play along with her but that's as far as it gets. He was still afraid to thread through deep waters.
His eyes narrowed when several more men approached the young President, smiling dotingly at her. Of course, the polite and civil her entertained them nonchalantly. As usual.
"Eriol, you're getting lost in your thoughts again."
He blinked, realizing Kaho was talking to him. He looked at her blankly. "Sorry, what did you say?"
The woman let out an exasperated sigh. "I said that your head is often in space nowadays." Eriol glared at her darkly and she sighed yet again. "Look, Eriol, don't vent out your anger on unsuspecting people like me. They, including me, don't appreciate it. Why not find another outlet for it?"
"Let's say, this glass?" he asked acidly, placing the empty glass on the tray of a passing waiter.
Kaho raised a reddish-brown eyebrow at him. "No, I don't think that's a good idea. Remember what happened last time when you threw that wineglass? You nearly got someone blinded."
He snorted. "It was Li's fault. If he didn't annoy me that time—"
"No blaming other people, Eriol."
The dark-haired CEO let his gaze roam around for a while. Then, he stiffened. He glanced around. Still, no sign of her. He straightened and started to walk from his position.
"Eriol, where are you going?" Kaho called him.
He ignored her, trying to find Tomoyo. He now stood in the middle of a semi-crowded ballroom, looking around casually and with composure. He can't let his emotions take over again like the last time she left with Li to have lunch. He walked a few more feet and looked around again. There was no sign of her anywhere. He breathed deeply, hoping to cool down his fried nerves. He can't believe he had lost her, the President, of all people.
Occasionally, he would catch a glimpse of long black hair but he knew it wasn't Tomoyo. He let out a sigh and tried to think of a plan.
He obviously can't call her bodyguards. It would be chaos if several men in black suddenly barged in the room, demanding for the young President of Daidouji Industries. That's a definitely no-no.
Finally, he resolved that he would call Cyrus and ask him for his help to find the heiress. He was just about to leave the ballroom when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He whirled, wanting to give whoever it was a piece of his mind.
There, in front of him, stood Tomoyo in all her splendor, her hands on her hips and a frown on her face. "Where do you think you're going?"
"I was looking for you," he replied matter-of-factly, relieved that she was right there, staring at him sullenly.
"You're going to leave me, are you?" she asked suspiciously, narrowing her eyes.
Eriol scowled at her. "Why do you think I'd do that?" he responded tartly. "There's no reason why I'd leave you."
"Oh? Then why did you leave me earlier with Mr. Fontaine?"
He rolled his eyes. "I went to get a drink. Happy?"
She eyed him for a moment then smiled. "All right."
She held onto his arm and led him back to the middle of the ballroom where several people where dancing a waltz. Eriol suddenly stopped in his tracks, stopping Tomoyo as well. She rounded on him.
"What now?"
He stared at her, folding his arms across his chest. "You're not going to force me to dance," he told her flatly.
"But I'm not going to force you. I'm going to ask," she replied sweetly, using her puppy dog eyes. "Please?"
He let out a sigh. "What did I say about cajoling?"
"I'm not cajoling you. I'm just asking you," she argued. "Please? Just this once. I promise we can go after this. I know you're bored and all. I'm actually wondering why we even went here but please, just this once, Hiiragizawa-kun!"
"I'm not—"
Tomoyo giggled softly. "Don't tell me you don't know how to dance."
"Of course I do!" he replied indignantly. A lazy grin graced her face and he frowned at her sternly. "But no, I will not dance. I know that voice of yours when I hear it! You're just trying to use reverse psychology on me."
"Really?" She faked an innocent voice. "But why would I?"
"Daidouji," he started wearily. "Don't start, all right?"
Tomoyo smiled at him sweetly. "Please, Hiiragizawa-kun? Pretty please?" she coaxed him. "Just look at it as a big favor! Promise! I won't bother you, annoy you or irritate you for a week!"
Eriol raised an eyebrow at her. "I won't bet on that," he said wryly.
"Hmm… I wonder what would make you move…" she mused loudly. "Maybe I should make you drunk first!" He glared at her icily and she raised her hands in defense. "Just kidding! C'mon, Hiiragizawa-kun, just one dance and we're done! No one would see us anyway!"
"Yeah, just a few hundred people."
"You don't even know all these people," she pressed on. "And Syaoran-kun nor Nakuru-chan are here."
"Yep, just Mizuki."
Tomoyo looked surprised. "Kaho-san… is here?" she said weakly. He frowned at her. She was looking away, her gaze pasted on the wall. "Maybe you're right… This isn't a good idea…"
Eriol's scowl deepened. Did he just hear confident and assertive little Tomoyo stutter? There's something wrong. It was obvious in her voice and he'd find it out.
"C'mon." He took her hand and pulled the protesting President to the dance floor. "You wanted to dance? Fine, we'll dance."
Tomoyo hesitated for a minute before placing one hand on his shoulder and the other in his waiting palm. She still scanned the faces of the guests, hoping to confirm what Eriol had told her.
"You know you can't dance when you're standing a foot away," he remarked, startling her. She looked up blankly and met his questioning gaze.
She took a step closer and concentrated on her feet so as not to step on Eriol's foot. She breathed deeply and counted her steps mentally in step with the slow waltz. She heard a chuckle.
"One must keep eye contact with her partner when dancing."
"Mou, Hiiragizawa-kun, you're making this difficult for me!" she whined quietly. She paused for a while then smiled slightly. "Okay, I think I got the hang of it…"
She looked up at him, expecting to see him scowling. What she saw was the opposite and it made her regret looking up. She found herself staring into deep pools of sapphirine orbs. She mentally cursed herself and looked away.
"Ne, Hiiragizawa-kun," she started, clearing her throat. "You mentioned a few days ago that you fancy someone, ne?"
He frowned at her. "Yes, why?"
She shrugged her shoulders as he twirled her in his arms. "I was just wondering who she is…" she said slowly.
Eriol shook his head, dismissing the thought. "Just forget it, okay?" he said. "I can't believe your mind is stuck on something as trivial as that."
"I was just wondering… Is it Kaho-san?"
He stared at her intently then looked away as well. "Well, that was a long time ago, but I admit I had a crush on her once…" he replied. "But, hell, that was a long time ago."
"But did you know she has a crush on you as well?" she persisted now looking at him. "You knew, right?"
"…Yeah, but I told you, that was a long time ago," he told her calmly.
Right! And what did Nakuru-chan say? She thought tetchily.
"Who told you about this anyway?" he asked her.
Tomoyo paled and then blushed. "Er, I just heard it from the girls in the lunch room," she lied. "They were gossiping about you and Kaho-san being together and all…"
Eriol sighed wearily. "Those girls never change…"
"Okay… hmm…" She gazed over his shoulder thoughtfully. "I got another question. How come Nakuru-chan lives with you?" Tomoyo slightly pulled away to look at him. "You're not married, are you?"
Eriol scowled. This was another one of those weird moments he usually had with Tomoyo. "No, we're not married!" He showed her his left hand. "See? There's no ring!"
"Right!" she said sarcastically.
"Didn't Li mention it to you?" he told her. "Nakuru is my cousin somewhere in the family. Not sure where… Probably on my mother's side…" He lightly scratched his cheek, pulling her hand as well. Tomoyo looked away when she felt her hand come in contact with his face. "You need to ask Li. He's the one who memorized the family tree."
She smiled tightly at the blue draperies. "Really? You're cousins?" she echoed and he nodded. "But I don't see the resemblance. She's bubbly and bright and sweet and nice while you're…"
"Yes, I know. I'm cold, rude and calculating," he finished for her in a sardonic tone. "We're really opposites, aren't we?"
"Not really…" She grinned lazily at him. "You know, I think I see some similarities now that you mentioned it…"
"I hope it's not blissful ignorance!"
"You say the weirdest things!" Tomoyo let out a soft laugh and continued to gaze over his shoulder. After a while, she pursed her lips then bent her head. "Kaho-san is really pretty, ne?"
"What?"
"C'mon, Hiiragizawa-kun, I know you heard me!"
Eriol sighed wearily. "I told you, that was a very long time ago, Daidouji," he replied. "Besides, that was just a mere crush, infatuation or whatever you want to call it. It's not a big deal."
"Demo…"
He lowered his gaze at her. "Why are you so interested in my love life?" he asked curiously.
She smiled slightly at him before turning away her gaze. Even though it wasn't obvious, Eriol could still see pink tinges staining her porcelain skin. "It's just… interesting, that's all…" she answered casually. "I mean, why would I be interested if it wasn't interesting at all?"
"Is that really it?" He stared at her apprehensively.
"Of-of course that's it! What else would it be?" she snapped irritably and he shrugged. She sighed in response. "You are really a hopeless case, Hiiragizawa-kun."
He snorted. "You should say that to yourself. You're even more impossible than me."
"Your rudeness really amazes me," she remarked dryly as they continued to dance. She then realized how close they had become during the last few minutes. So close that she could almost hear him breathing…
Tomoyo kicked herself mentally. What the hell are you thinking, girl? Have you just gone insane?
"Daidouji…"
"Hmm…"
She waited for Eriol to say something but none came. She raised her puzzled gaze and threw him a questioning look. "Is there something you want to tell me?"
The CEO looked like he was about to say something but he shook his head. "It's… nothing, really…"
"You sure?"
"Yeah…"
"Okay then…"
Then, much to Eriol's surprise, Tomoyo suddenly leaned on him, resting her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes peacefully, unmindful of the people around them.
"Ne, Hiiragizawa-kun…"
"Hmm?"
"Am I pretty?"
He stares at the top of her head, bewildered. Obviously, he had not seen her act like this. It was such a weird experience to see her leaning on him like that. He had never let anyone, not even a friend, get close to him in that way. But with Tomoyo…
"Are you drunk?" he blurted out and she looked up at him, blinking twice. "Well, you sound like drunk. Are you sure you're not drunk?"
Tomoyo rolled her eyes, leaning back. "I was just asking an innocent question and here you go asking the rudest of things." She let out a sigh, humming softly. "Geez… I shouldn't have expected you to answer something like that."
"Sure you are," he replied automatically. He cursed his mouth inwardly for even saying something like.
She looked up at him again, blinking once more. "What?"
He forced his throat to work even though it felt more like a slimy slug in his mouth. "Sure you're pretty. In some weird way."
"Even prettier than, let's say, Kaho-san?"
Eriol suddenly let her go, apparently taken aback by her question. Tomoyo, realizing her mistake, took a step backwards and shook her head, looking apologetic.
"Gomen, I didn't… I forgot…" she stammered, taking another step backwards. "Sorry."
He stared at her for a minute or two before shaking his head, a small grin on his face. "It's okay… I was just—surprised by the sudden question." He took her hand again and pulled her closer as the dance required.
"So… You're not mad or anything?"
"No, why should I be?"
She shrugged. "I don't know… I really don't know how to figure out a guy's mind…"
"It isn't really as complicated, you know…"
"Yes, I know," she replied, stifling a giggle. "Kaho-san once mentioned that the brains of men haven't evolved yet since the Neolithic period!" He glowered at her, his blue eyes flashing irately. "But I beg to disagree since Uncle Fujitaka and Touya-kun are really smart guys!"
"And I'm not?" he countered.
"I didn't say that!"
"Sure you didn't," he replied wryly. "You just implied."
She rolled her eyes then threw him a withering look. "Yeah, and it seems that it touched a nerve!" she retorted. "Anyway, you haven't answered my question yet."
"What question?"
Tomoyo stared at him pointedly and he stared back. She pouted. "Ah, right!" he said, realizing what she meant. "Well… yeah, I guess…"
"What do you mean 'you guess'?" she demanded.
"I'm not sure, that's what it means!" He rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine! You're prettier than her! Even prettier than, er, those twins on TV! Happy now?"
"Who? Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen?"
Eriol rolled his eyes yet again in exasperation. "Whoever!"
Review, review, review! I'm so happy that I'm going to graduate! After 4 years of hard work, I AM GOING TO GET MY DIPLOMA! Yipee! And I'm going to get an IPod as a graduation gift! Yeah!