Flashback

Eriol took the ball. It glowed when he held it with his two hands. Tomoyo giggled.

"See? The ball responded to your powers."

Eriol smiled at her.

"Arigatou gozaimasu, Daidouji-san. Anyway, let's talk about the things that we need to do."

Chapter 2

The First Step

The next day, Eriol and Tomoyo went to school earlier than usual. The school is empty. The sky is already clear and the ground is wet. They went to the place where students usually walk. They made a small elevated place made of mud. Eriol laughed.

"It reminds me of my childhood days when I make small castles out of mud."

Tomoyo giggled.

"I did not know that you do such things."

Eriol looked at Tomoyo, seriousness is in his face.

"Remember, Daidouji-san, you should do your very best so that he will step on this place. We really need his footprints so that the potion will be

made."

"Hai."

After that, they went to the lavatory, which is a few feet away from their working area. They washed their dirty hands. Then, they went to a bench near their working area.

"Daidouji-san, wait for Syaoran-kun to arrive."

After a while, Syaoran is already walking within the premises of their school. Eriol nudged Tomoyo gently.

"Now, it's your chance. Hurry."

Tomoyo nodded. Then she ran fast towards him. She swallowed hard as she started a conversation with Syaoran.

"Errr, ohayou, Syaoran-kun. Did you... did you sleep well last night?"

"Hai. Have you seen Sakura-chan?"

"Iie. Listen, have you watched the latest movie?"

Then, they are already near the elevated place. Tomoyo is still talking to Syaoran-kun as she tried her best to shove Syaoran a little bit on the

muddy elevated place. But she has shoved him a little bit hard, making Syaoran fall on his side. His polo and shorts became dirty with mud. Tomoyo was aghast.

"Syaoran-kun, daijoubu desu ka?'

Syaoran just glared at her. Then, he ran fast away from the school premises, perhaps to change his soiled uniform. Tomoyo sat beside Eriol, tears

are flowing in her eyes.

"I screwed it up, Hiiragizawa-san. It's because I am stupid."

Eriol wiped away Tomoyo's tears in her cheeks. He smiled warmly.

"Listen, you did not screw it up. Look at the elevated place."

When she did, she saw two footprints imprinted in the mud. She smiled. Eriol handed her his handkerchief.

"Wipe your tears away, Daidouji-san. We are few steps away from your potion."

Then, he got his small shovel in his bag and scooped the mud with footprints gently. Then, he put the mud in a clear plastic He handed the

plastic to Tomoyo. She, then, put it in her bag. Eriol spoke.

"Let's go now, Daidouji-san."

3 days after+

During recess time, Tomoyo approached Eriol, who is eating his sandwich under a sugoi tree.

"Is it okay if I join you?"

Eriol just nodded. Tomoyo sat beside him. Tomoyo reached for her chocolate chip cookies. She offered some to Eriol.

"Do you want some, Hiiragizawa-san?"

"No, thanks."

Tomoyo ate one cookie. Then, she faced Eriol.

"I am a bit nervous. Do you really think that the potion will work?"

"You don't trust me, do you?"

"Iie, it's not like that. It's just.. it's just..."

Eriol stared at Tomoyo.

"What is it?"

"It's just that I can feel that Syaoran-kun likes Sakura-chan... And just to think that... that Sakura-chan... is... my best friend!"

Eriol looked at Tomoyo sympatetically. Then, he spoke.

"Don't worry, my potion will work. I promise. Just do your part and I will do mine."

"Arigatou, Hiiragizawa-san. Anyway, how about the next step?"

"Let's go to the park after classes. We should discuss this in a private place so that no one will hear us."

"Hai!"

Ding! Dong! Ding! Ding!

The school bell finally rang, marking the end of the classes. Tomoyo stole a glance at Syaoran. She whispered to herself.

"You will be mine pretty soon, Syaoran-kun."

Her thoughts were interrupted by Sakura's cheerful voice.

"Hey, Tomoyo-chan. Aren't you going home with me today?"

Tomoyo feigned a happy face.

"I cannot. I have to talk to Hiiragizawa-san. I have to go now."

"OK!"

Then, Sakura walked out of the room with Chiharu and Rika. Tomoyo sighed. She felt a hand on her shoulder. When she looked at her back, it was Eriol.

"Let's go now. We have to discuss our plan."

Tomoyo just nodded. Then, they walked out of the room. As they walked towards the park, Eriol caught a glimpse of Tomoyo. The cool afternoon breeze makes her long silky hair flutter in the wind. Her deep eyes reflect sadness. Her beautiful pink lips are serious, trying to hide the sorrow that fills her heart. Eriol felt pitiful towards her. He told himself.

"It's such a shame that a beautiful girl is desperate of winning her loved one's heart."

They finally reached the park. Tomoyo sat at the first bench that she saw. Eriol asked Tomoyo.

"Do you want some ice cream?"

"Hai. Arigatou. I like vanilla."

"OK."

Eriol is gone for a few minutes. He returned with two ice creams in his hands. He handed her the vanilla ice cream. Tomoyo mumbled her thanks. As Eriol sat beside her, he spoke.

"Listen carefully. We have to finish the potion before the Halloween party, which will be held at the 30th. We still need to get two more

ingredients. I have the last ingredient."

Tomoyo nodded as she ate her ice cream.

"How will I do the next step?"

"You should accomplish it tomorrow. Be careful of doing it."

"Hai."

TBC