Disclaimer: I don't own CCS
Oh, Ladies and Gentlemen!
Chapter 5 :: Project Pursue-way
"You and Eriol-kun are an item now?!"
Telling Kinomoto Sakura proved to be an effective way of mass communication –for the chestnut-haired woman exclaimed it with a relatively-loud (for a whisper) voice. This wasn't Tomoyo's most preferable way on informing the folks about her relationship slash partnership with Eriol, but she knew that they needed to act fast. So, on this family dinner that was held 2 days before Sakura-Syaoran's wedding, a blowing revelation was indeed required as the primary step.
Tomoyo could feel curious gazes from the other, but she masked ignorance, concentrated on Sakura… and Kaho.
She had made sure to be seated between her cousin and her ex. Teacher, so that she could 'arrange' Kaho's mindset. Blowing all too hastily had the other effects too –the 'Eriol-Tomoyo pairing' would sound fake and forged. Thus, her 'manipulative communicating skill' (or so Eriol referred) should be used to guide Kaho to think that her relationship with Eriol was 'pure and destined to be'.
"Since when?!" Sakura urged and had not yet congratulated her. Apparently the news was shocking the Cherry Blossom enough.
"Officially about a week ago, but we've started this in private ever since he came back to Tomoeda," she said in whispers, but making sure it was loud enough for the red-haired lady to hear.
"Oh," Sakura then paused. "Don't you think it's a little bit too fast? Not that I disagree, I really approve you two, but… well… this is so sudden, I almost couldn't believe it,"
Tomoyo giggled lightheartedly. "I couldn't believe it also, Sakura-chan. This happens really fast, and we were afraid that this was just a quick attraction interlude. But Eriol and I have discussed this over and we thought that we may as well try it,"
Sakura's eyes rounded as she clasped her hands together. "That's so…" she paused. "I-It's not that I'm not happy for you, Tomoyo-chan. I really am happy, I really do, but I just still… well… you know… you and Eriol-kun were never really that close before…"
"That's true," Tomoyo smiled. "But we found out that there are actually attracted to many same stuffs –"
"Yeah, that, I don't deny," Sakura nodded.
"And there's just chemistry between us. I feel comfortable around him and I guess I'd just have to trust my feelings and put aside all the bad thoughts," Tomoyo concluded. "I hope this will work out,"
"I hope so too, Tomoyo-chan. Now that I think of it, you two are really compatible. Why haven't you guys started dating sooner?"
"I don't know," she laughed politely. "But better late than never,"
"Yeah, I agree… Anyway, congratulation!" Sakura spoke in her usual happy-cheery mode.
The dinner went rather quiet afterward, and it wasn't until the dessert was served that finally Kaho asked to her.
"So… Daidouji-san? You're dating Eriol now?"
"Ah, I'm still embarrassed," Tomoyo tried to look like she was blushing. "Pretty queer, eh?"
"Oh, I think you two make a fine couple," Kaho smiled. "It's just…rather unexpected,"
A calm smile was formed on her pretty face. "Yes. I myself have never thought that the relationship between me and Eriol will take such direction. Sometimes… we're afraid that we really are just forcing this relationship. But…"
Kaho waited and Tomoyo continued, "We are comfortable towards each other. So I guess, that's enough,"
"Yes, comfort is one basic ground to create a steady relationship,"
"I agree,"
Kaho gazed back at her with such an expression that Tomoyo feel… guilty.
She felt really bad having to lie to the priestess for her own (and Eriol's) advantages. But in her defense, she may just be an inspector. If until the very end of the scheming Kaho still lingered to Touya, then Tomoyo would turn down the partnership with Eriol and admitted the fact that Touya was not hers to have. She really hated to ruin destined couples. But the question now was which was the supposed 'destined couple'? Eriol with Kaho or Touya with Kaho? That was what she needed to inquire and test.
So with new determination to work with this project until the very end, Tomoyo decided to focus back to Kaho.
The Mizuki woman had spoken again. "I hope… you two don't end up like me and Eriol. Oh, don't let me make you change your perspective about him… Eriol is a really nice guy. A bit ah, troubled sometimes, but he's really… nice,"
But Tomoyo, being a keen observer she was, realized the confusion that was written on her ex. teacher's face. Eriol seemed to proven himself right. Mizuki Kaho could possibly still hold feelings towards her former lover. It was up to Eriol's and her acting now, in order to spark the envy for real.
And besides, her Daidouji pride prevented her from losing poise when facing a challenge. Hence, she managed one of her gracious smile and replied, "Yes, I feel blessed to have him,"
A momentarily pause as the two of them continued their dining.
Kaho played with her glass and began the conversations again, "About… what happened at the balcony on the party 2 weeks ago –"
"Oh yes, that. Are you and Touya-san alright? I hope you can forgive Eriol. He was a little bit drunk that moment,"
"Yeah, I've known him long enough to know how… quick-tempered he could be sometimes, so I wasn't really surprised,"
Tomoyo mentally smirked. This conversation was rather cute in some way. She noticed the slightly pressed tone on the word 'known' and 'long'. Now this was one prove of women's silent competitive selves: bragging to the 'new girl' how they knew their ex's personality better. Lucky Hiiragizawa, seemingly he still stood a chance to win back the so-called 'his woman'.
"It's just that…" Kaho continued. "I hope you don't get the wrong idea with all the stuffs Eriol said about still loving me et cetera,"
"Oh no, that's fine. You were his lover for the past 12 years, that's very common that he's having a slightly harder time to move on," Tomoyo said in a masked alternate intention. It was also important to indicate Kaho that Eriol could still be hers if she wanted to.
"Yes. Thus, don't you..." Kaho paused, seeming to deliberate whether it was good or not to say it. But at the end, the words rolled out from her tongue, "Don't you… ever fear that he might just use you to forget his feelings towards me?"
…
…If Tomoyo were really in love with Eriol, then that statement would bruise her deeply. She thanked God that she wasn't in that position to be mentally-injured, so smiling as politely, Tomoyo replied, "I believe in him, Mizuki-san,"
Kaho stared at her before unsurely nodded, "That's…good,"
And their conversation ended there.
Giving herself a mental relief sigh, Tomoyo could only hope that Eriol was doing his part in convincing Touya well, because facing one Kaho Mizuki was not easy at all. She just hoped she could get her side of the bargain.
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A day before Sakura's wedding, the family and close relatives of both the bride and groom were having again another dinner –that time at the hotel where the celebration was going to be held the day after. The dinner went very well –it had good effect to reduce the pre-wedding jitters that had been lurking on the atmosphere. And Tomoyo's plan afterwards included final check-up on the ceremonial setting at the hotel's ballroom, ensuring all the small details, checking the chef's work with the wedding cake, auditing the budget so far, et cetera, et cetera. Thank goodness she had booked a small office room in that hotel so she could do all her pre-event works.
But the sight of Sakura in that office room surprised her.
"Sakura! What are you still doing here? It's almost 10 pm! You have to go back to your room now! "
The soon-to-be Li bride yelped and stammered, "I-I'm s-sorry Tomoyo-chan, but I thought I could help… I'm sorry if I got you angry or –"
Tomoyo sighed then slowly chuckled, "I'm not angry. I'm sorry I yelled. But tomorrow is your wedding day, and there's no way I could let you still be here,"
"But you're gonna do the works all by yourself! Where are your staffs?"
"I've dismissed them for today. They've done all their chores," explained the raven-haired lady as sitting on the chair and begin examining the paper. "Don't worry about me. My perfectionist side just rises again and I just need to do minor final checks for tomorrow. It won't get long, so you'd better go back to your room now,"
"If it won't be long, then I shall wait you here,"
Oh yeah, Tomoyo should remember how persistent her cousin could be when it involved the well being of other people. She mentally apologized for the lies she was about to say. "You want to help?"
"Yes!"
"Then help me deliver this to Syaoran's room," Tomoyo said as taking a bottle of flu medicine that she had always brought along from her purse. "I've been noticing him during dinner. He doesn't look too healthy,"
"Hoe?! Syaoran-kun's sick?"
Tomoyo nodded. "So you'd better hurry,"
"Of course, of course!" and Sakura quickly dashed out of the room.
The Daidouji woman knew that once Sakura met Syaoran, the boy wouldn't let his fiancée wander out freely and he would definitely forced the poor girl to go back to her room. Tomoyo felt sorry having to lie to Sakura. But in her mindset, lies could be legalized if they were for Sakura's good.
Tying her hair into a ponytail, Tomoyo then began her work.
"What are you doing here?"
The sudden voice that came jolted her a bit. She turned her gaze to the left, where she saw Eriol standing on the doorway.
"It's you," she then relaxed again.
The magician chuckled, "Why, you seem unhappy to see me?"
"Is there any reason I should be the contrary, Hiiragizawa-san?" her words stung, but her face remained contently smiling. "What are you still doing here?"
"I asked you that question first," he pointed out as sitting on the chair next to her.
She sighed. "I'm just checking these stuffs. I was being careless actually. These last few days, the theatre I'm working at assigned me to make drama costumes and I wasn't able to pay much concentration on Sakura's wedding preparation. So now, Hiiragizawa-san, if you understand, will you please go? Since seeing your face apparently just slowing down my working pace,"
"Why? I'm that gorgeous that you can't concentrate?" Eriol grinned.
She gave him THE look before sighing and asked back, "So what we need to do for our next move?"
He contemplated. "Well… what do you think?"
"I think we should wait," Tomoyo glanced at his way. "We should watch for the progress of situation. Mizuki-san seems to… take our bait,"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, don't you notice? She's becoming more fidgety around you. Almost look like she's… unsure about herself. And there was this… peculiar sentiment she had about me. Not that she dislikes me, but there was something that read 'women bruised ego',"
"Really?" Well… He hadn't noticed that. "Perhaps it was just you imagining things?"
"Perhaps," she shrugged it off. "But I have a strong feeling that she's a taddy bit jealous. Although I'm not sure whether Mizuki-san has realized that or not. Oh, and she steals glances at you a lot,"
"Oh, well that's… comforting,"
Tomoyo looked up to see Eriol. "You're not pleased?"
"Why, of course I'm pleased. Glad even! It's actually working! But it's just that…" he trailed, eyes looking fascinated. "Wow… nice work, Daidouji-san,"
"… Thank you?"
"…But if you're expecting to hear good news from me about Touya then prepare yourself to be disappointed. That guy is as hard as a rock. And he doesn't seem to have much emotion inside him that I could manipulate,"
"I don't expect much reaction from Touya-kun anyway. I've told you that, haven't I?"
"Yes, you have. But don't worry, I will –"
"Don't worry," she cut him. By the tone, she seemed not to realize her doing and how she said the exact same words. "I won't fail this project. I'll try my best to make Mizuki-san back at you. You don't… really need to think about Touya. I'm not… expecting that much,"
Apparently, her comment triggered slight wrath in him. Well, it was almost as if she was underestimating his capability in doing the other side of her bargain. Well, sure, perhaps Miss Daidouji meant good (try to ease his burden or whatever), but he really didn't like her choice of way. "…You're always like this, aren't you, Daidouji-san?"
"… Always like what?" she questioned without diverting her concentration on the paper and the calculator.
"Bearing all the burdens and keeping your problems to yourself,"
"I'm not doing that,"
"Yes, you are. You've just told me to stay away from this business,"
"Hey, I never said that!"
"But you're planning to do all stuffs by yourself and that's pretty much the same idea, dear Daidouji-san,"
She glared slightly at him before finally exhaling a defeated sigh. "… It's just… my habit… I guess,"
"Well then, start changing your bad habit. By little stuffs,"
"Like?"
"These. You were intending to finish all the last preparation for Sakura's wedding by yourself right?"
"But I'm not burdened by this," she insisted. "Preparing Sakura's wedding has been my dream ever since I was a kid. So don't think I'm just laboring myself endlessly, Hiiragiza –HEY!" Tomoyo gasped when Eriol held the top of her head and messed her hair. "What do you think you're doing?"
He smirked. "Haven't I told you?"
"Haven't you told me what?" She replied as trying to comb her ruffled hair with her fingers.
"You don't need to bother putting your mask in front of me,"
"I'm not –"
"I'll put off my mask too, and let's play honest here, okay? I really don't like your choice of behavior. You always hide your feelings, how do you expect Touya to accept your feelings if you never tell him how you feel?"
"Telling Touya-kun won't change the situation between us, and why are we talking about Touya here?! We're getting out of the topic!"
Eriol sighed. "Daidouji-san, you may hide your feelings so you won't bother other people, but it really irks me."
"And why do you care?"
"Why, are we partners or not?
"Yes, you are my partner for Mizuki-Touya project, but that doesn't give you any authorization to rule my life, Hiiragizawa-san,"
"Fine, but at least let other people care about you,"
She stared at him.
He stared back.
The woman then shrugged, "I just… don't have any problems that require people to care for me,"
Eriol snorted. "You're always impossible, Daidouji-san. Come on, what else do you need to do for tomorrow? Let me help,"
"Is this part of your services from our business deal or what?"
"Nope, this has no relations with our partnership. Except if… you know… if you want to have that other kind of service…" he smirked sexily.
She laughed nervously and tried hard to brush away the images of him licking her lips… damn, no, stop imagining that, Daidouji!
Tomoyo cleared her throat then cautiously spoke, "You're being kind all so sudden, there must be something you're up to. So what do you really want actually, Hiiragizawa?"
"You," he grinned.
"Your shameless flirt won't work on me,"
"Ah, but that shameless flirt of mine makes you blush, eh?"
She rolled her eyes. "You're hopeless,"
Eriol snickered. "And you're still impossible,"
Tomoyo finally gave up and let out a grin. "Fine, if you really insist on wasting your time here…" She handed him some papers. "Help me calculate these. Make sure the income and expense are balanced. Then, accompany me checking the ballroom setting and… " the woman continued reading out her to do list and Eriol could only growl." Oh, and Hiiragizawa-san?"
"…Yes, Daidouji-san?"
She smiled, and there wasn't any fakeness he caught from it.
"Thank you," The violet-eyed beauty said sincerely.
He could only smile back.
"You're welcome,"
To Be Continued