Disclaimer:
Cardcaptor Sakura does not belong to me. CLAMPS owns it.
Through the Rain belongs to Mariah Carey and Lionel Cole as the writers.
Kureyuku Hitotose belongs to Junko Iwao as the singer.
Summary:
Sakura was separated for years from her family, that it nearly makes her lose hope to reunite with her loved ones. But like everyone believes: miracle happens. Even though there will always be something obstructs on the way or at the end.
EDGE OF DESIRE
Chapter 5 - Through the Rain
And I live one more day and I make it through the rain. - Mariah Carey
"Excuse me, Ma'am. Is this yours?"
Nadeshiko lifted her head up, slowly scanning the figure of the young girl, who had suddenly come up in front of her, from down to up. She was startled to see the girl. Her body was not able to move. The girl reached her hand and returned her purse when she did not respond. The girl then smiled and left from her sight.
Nadeshiko snapped herself back, her heart pounding quickly. She ran to catch the young girl. Her eyes blindly swept the crowds to find her. But the girl had already disappeared.
Nadeshiko bit her lips. Her breath was panting. She was sure that she had seen it. She had seen the emerald light in that young girl's eyes.
It was half past eleven in the evening again when Sakura reached home. She was grateful that everyone was already asleep. She did not need to say any excuses for getting home late again.
After cleaning herself, she placed herself in front of the laptop in her room. This laptop had been given anonymously to the orphanage two years ago. Sakura had a feeling that it had been the same philanthropist who had granted them the piano. Sometimes she really wanted to meet him. She wanted to thank him for everything he or she had done to the orphanage. Not every rich was benevolent like them. Just take a look at those Kinomotos. Sakura sputtered inwardly.
She had visited the Tomoeda Central office yesterday and fortunately they had given her the job. She just needed to list all public places in Tomoeda, like eateries, cafés, theaters, museums and others, and wrote some reviews for those. It was apparently pretty easy to be done. Autumn Blossom had the full list for it, as they needed to socialize with the fellow eateries' owners. Rika had given it to her with pleasure. The rest was to find the reviews on internet and started to list other categories.
Three hours had passed since she had been struggling in front of the screen. She stretched her arms, as her body started to feel sore, particularly in her legs. She turned her eyes from her laptop.
One of the reasons why she loved her room was that she could directly look at the street view from her window, just like what she was doing right now. Looking outside in the serene night, while listening to her favourite playlist from Coldplay, was one of the things she loved to do the most.
New year had passed. The orphanage had just thrown a small feast to celebrate it a few days ago. The kids had blithely spent the holiday by redecorating the orphanage and helping the sisters to serve new year's dishes. She wondered if she had had parents, would they have done the usual traditional rituals to welcome the new year? Would her mother have served a lot of foods for their family? Would they have gone to shrine together for praying?
She suddenly remembered something from a few days ago. She sighed sadly. Her feet had brought her to that young surgeon. She should not have come there in the first place. Now she had known that the surgeon even acquainted with that Kinomoto.
Why does everything have to be related with Kinomoto? Sakura cursed inwardly.
"It is beautiful, isn't it?"
Sakura turned her head and found the mysterious lady stood near her. She was getting used to her presence these days. Her amethyst eyes were longing to the sky as well. Both of them were being drowned to the reverie of the peaceful night.
"You know, when you look at the stars, you are actually looking back in time." The lady gently said again, breaking the silence between them. "What we are seeing now is the stars in four thousand nine hundred years ago."
"Really?" Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. "It's really amazing. The earth it is. So, we could say that we are the future of the stars."
"Yeah." The lady nodded and smiled. "If you look at it, somehow it's like telling you that life is mysterious as well."
"I heard too that every good person who has passed away, reincarnates into a star. So then they can light the way of the people they love." Sakura uttered softly. "I wonder if there's someone among the stars sees me and lights my way too."
"There must be." The lady turned to Sakura and stared at her emerald eyes. "Everyone has someone who loves them."
"There is my aunt and uncle!" Sakura suddenly remembered. "They have passed away. We were in a car accident. They must be the one, right?"
The lady nodded again. Her hands reached Sakura's auburn hair and stroked it gently. "They must be guarding you all this time." She said slowly, staring at Sakura with a puzzling face. Her face then turned to the piles in front of Sakura. "What is that?"
"I was about to check how much money that i have collected this far." Sakura answered, pointing at the money, coins and some papers on the table. These were her savings from her job all this time. She had almost eight millions yen in total, including the one in her account. And this was still a really long way to go to a hundred million.
Sakura exhaled slowly, still staring at the stuffs. Even though the new school year was still in a few months ahead, but they needed to keep the fee from now. Moreover Kei would start his college, and they still had to pay the semester fees for Aiko, Miho and Nana. She thanked God that she could push herself to not spend much.
"This is clearly not enough yet." Sakura mumbled.
The lady smiled and glanced at the wall clock. "You should take a rest, Sakura. It's almost three now."
Sakura sighed and turned off her laptop. She still needed to wake up really early. She pulled up her blanket and tried to close her eyes. Even in her sleeps, the worries never left her mind.
She almost closed her eyes when she suddenly realized what the lady had just said. She abruptly raised, spreading her sight to look for the lady. But Sakura was now all alone again.
How did she know my real name?
Tomoyo had been drowning herself in Tomoeda Public Library in the last two weeks. She was writing some independent researches, related to cosplay fashion culture which had been popular in the last few years. Her father had promised her that she could start making her own fashion line. But she did not want to do it hastily, which could lead to a carelessness. She wanted this to be perfect.
She might be a spoiled daughter to her parents, while the grumpy and rude one to the others. So that was why she wanted to prove that despite those behaviours of hers, she was a responsible person for everything she did. Especially she wanted to show to everyone that she could rise without attaching her family's fame.
Her persistence was suddenly interrupted by a disturbing memory from the last picture she had gotten from her friend. That damn girl eventually had guts to approach her fiancee. Tomoyo felt a sudden fury enveloping herself. How she wanted to confront and told the girl so much to not mess with her.
She sighed frustratedly. She could not just do that bluntly. She did not want other people to talk about her blind jealousy in the end. She turned her sight to the window. Her forehead frowned softly. It looked like she had to investigate it silently.
Sakura stretched her arms as she was just finished helping Ms. Kimura with another reorganization. She had been sticking at the library in the last few weeks. Apparently the Ministry of Education had implemented a new policy to add more literature supplements to every university.
She was about to lift some books when suddenly she felt her head spinning around and her body off-balanced. Her fainted figure was suddenly held by a pair of hands.
"Are you alright?"
Sakura closed her eyes for a few seconds, tried to gather herself back before she faced her saver. Worried amber-orbs stared at her. She instantly detached from his support, and looked away, feeling embarrassed. "I'm fine. Sorry."
Syaoran smiled warmly at her, "What were you sorry for? You should say thank instead." He pulled out a chair for her to sit in. His eyes were still scrutinizing her pale look. "You look a little unwell."
"I slept too late last night. I just need to rest a little bit and it will be fine." Regardless of her will to not face him, her eyes made a sudden contact with him.
They paused at that position for a few seconds, before Syaoran turned his face and said, "About the last time, when i told you about the Museum of The Little Prince in Hakone, would you like to go there someday?"
"Oh. Yeah. I have read about it. Maybe i will go there, but i don't know when." Sakura answered nervously. She wondered, he did not go to library only for asking about this, right?
"I mean, would you like to go there with me?" Syaoran quickly corrected his sentence. He did not understand why that idea had come to his mind last night before he had gone to bed. He had woken up earlier this morning, and hurried to university even though there was no class to day. "I need some inspirations for my ongoing novel." He reasoned.
Sakura was startled. She slowly looked up to him, wondering whether she had heard him wrong. But the man who sat beside her was waiting for her answer, wearing a hopeful look. So she quickly recovered from her shock and said, "That sounds great. I'd be glad to join you then."
Syaoran felt a simple joy filled his being. His sight was still glued to Sakura who was now busy reading local newspaper. This was the first time he saw her closely. He scanned her delicate features; how her skin was so creamy-white, how she tucked her jaw-level auburn hair behind her ears, how her cheek looked so soft. He sighed softly and turned his head, snapping himself from her spell.
Sakura peeked at his figure who did not bring anything with himself. "You don't have classes today?"
Syaoran shook his head quickly, suddenly being clumsy. "No. I just want to stay at library, reading books for my research." He already prepared a lie, which he reluctantly addressed to himself. Fortunately he already took a book from the nearest shelf.
Sakura tilted her head to read the book title, "Women's Equality: A Struggle for Survival." She then faced him back, "I thought you would be reading something about economic or business?"
"What?" Syaoran uttered and took a look at the book as well. He swallowed nervously. He had not even see the title when he had taken it.
"You don't look like a feminist, you know." Sakura amused at the man. "Sometimes i really hate this world for worshiping patriarchy too much. This system has caused a lot of women discrimination. World seems to not recognize the existence of woman."
"I can't believe that there are still tribes which think if a family doesn't have a son, it will be considered as having no descendant at all. What the hell? Do they think a daughter is not a human?" Sakura continued to blurt fiery, letting Syaoran to stare at her in amazement. "Moreover, parents who think that their daughters do not need higher education, since they will end up at kitchen and take care of their children. So then they prefer to give the opportunity to their sons. And one more thing: even if they are well-educated, once they are married, they have to abandon their dreams and cannot pursue their careers."
Sakura stopped and calmed down herself. She was always in fire for discussing these kinds of matters. She thought if she wanted to change others, she had to fight and speak her mind. That was why she could pass to face those Kinomotos. She wanted to change their minds.
Syaoran could not help to grin widely at the girl. She was so lively and vigorous. As she would not let others ignore her views.
He shifted his posture and frowned, "I think women's equality will be forever impossible."
"What do you mean?"
Syaoran exhaled, ready to infuriate the girl further. He smirked and said, "Since their own selves who prevent the equality process. The women are screaming for gender equality, while at the other side, they are doing the reverse. For example, how many works men should do, only because women do not want or incapable to do?"
He quickly continued as he saw Sakura was ready to cut him angrily, "If women demand their rights, so then just do every single thing on their own, including rough works. No exception. It is the main idea of emancipation, isn't it?"
He shrugged nonchalantly, feeling victory was coming to him in this debate. He never did this before. Nobody had been brave enough to debate him, since he was the heir of the Li Clan. But this girl was surely different since the first time he saw her. He saw Sakura's face flushed in fury.
"You really are a narrow-minded one." Sakura hissed cynically. She then stomped off before left Syaoran dumbfounded.
Syaoran was surprised to see her, following her figure going outside the library with his eyes. He then laughed to himself, "She's really an attractive girl."
It was already late at night when Eriol was still busy struggling with piles of documents in front of him. Ito, his resident, had handed him those when he had received an emergency case of a man who got stroke. Ito had not asked Eriol to help, which had been kind of good, since he was not really in the mood to do anything, except managing paper-works
His mind had been in mess since the last phone call with Tomoyo. Surely she had tried to call and sent him messages after that. He did not ignore her though. He just responded her differently than usual.
Eriol sighed frustratedly. He knew that he had no reason to ignore and treat her like this. His best friend was contented about her upcoming engagement party, and he was supposed to be happy for her.
He did not know what had happened to himself. He had known Tomoyo just as long as she had known Syaoran. Even though Syaoran was his cousin, but still Eriol thought that he was closer to Tomoyo than Syaoran was. Eriol had always spent times with her; gone to the same school since primary until university, gone to every vacation with her, enjoyed every happy time and been there in her hard times, when Syaoran had not even been there.
All this time he never put interest in any girls. His friends had asked him why he did not date, and he had simply told them that he wanted to focus on his study. But he knew that it was not the reason.
His sapphire orbs stared at the empty corridor and whispered, "She is the reason."
His body jerked lightly when suddenly his head filled with a memory...
He was sleeping soundly when all of a sudden, he felt hands shook his body lightly.
"Eriol, wake up, son." Keiko Hiiragizawa whispered to her son.
Eriol opened his eyes slowly, adjusting his sight to the darkness in his room. "What is it, okaa-san?"
"It's Tomoyo."
In the darkness, Eriol could hear her worried voice and looked at her sad face.
They ran frantically inside the hospital, looking for emergency room. The hospital seemed in rush and panic. Eriol slightly heard what the nurses and doctors were saying about an accident involving Kinomoto's daughter and the Daidoujis. His heart pounded loudly to hear the last name. His mind could not help to imagine what had happened to Tomoyo, his best friend.
And there he found her small figure, sitting alone in front of the emergency room. He ran to her and shouted, "Tomoyo-chan!"
Tomoyo looked up at him, her face looked confused.
"Are you okay?" He held her hands firmly, started to feel relieved as she looked fine with no sign of injury.
"Eriol-kun, they woke me up suddenly and brought me here. I don't know what happened." Tomoyo said quietly.
"It's alright, Tomoyo-chan. We just have to wait here. Me and my mother will accompany you." He kept patting her shoulders.
They turned their bodies when the emergency room was opened. A lot of people in white robes went out of there. Their eyes were suddenly fixed to two bodies on gurneys being rolled behind them.
Eriol turned his head to the little girl beside him. He would never forget what were on her face. They were pain and fear.
His body trembled as the memory came to his mind. A guilt engulfed his being. It had been fifteen years passed since. Eriol had not met Tomoyo for a few months later to only find that she did not remember anything about what had happened. The Kinomotos had told him that Tomoyo had suffered a great trauma, and that she had been adopted to the their family.
Only after she had found a family back that he could see her smiling like she used to.
He covered his face with his hands. He could not help to curse himself. He should have not treated her like this. Not after what she had been through. He then grabbed his phone and dialed her number.
Early next morning, Fujitaka woke up and found that the space beside him was empty. He sighed desperately. It had been a few days since his arguments with Nadeshiko. She had not talked to him ever since and decided to occupy another room in the house for the time being.
To wake up and to always have the same worries for the last fifteen years, were exhausting. He already had had enough of those. He did not want to sink in despair any longer. He wanted to leave all behind. He still had family that he had to take care of. And he would surely embrace the future together with them.
Fujitaka stepped into his office with a brown box in his hands. Books, albums, cards, small miniatures. His eyes re-scanned the whole room again. Those were all.
He picked a match from his desk and walked to the fireplace. A beautiful red fire appeared in instance after he lit it up. He began to throw what were inside the brown box to the fireplace. This was his starting point. He had to throw what had hindered him all this time.
He paused as his eyes caught a small book with a perky cover. "The Little Prince.", He murmured silently. He turned the pages and saw colourful doodles on it. A tear dropped on the surface without him realizing it. His heart was hurting.
He closed the book and threw it to the fireplace. The shadow of the red fire was dancing in his eyes, as it slowly ate the picture of the little prince and the sun, moon and stars around him.
Kei opened his eyes when he suddenly heard a noise outside his room. He rubbed his eyes to wake him some more and opened his room's door. He saw the kitchen's lamp was already on and more noisy sounds coming. He glanced at the wall clock in the corridor. It was just five in the morning.
Who already woke really early on a Sunday like this? He mumbled inwardly.
Kei walked through the door and found his older sister's figure, tidying up cutleries scattered on the floor. He hurried out to help her.
"Oh, Kei-kun." Sakura stammered to see him. "I must have woken you up. I'm sorry."
"Are you cleaning the kitchen, Saki onee-san?" he said while helping her to gather the cutleries and place them back to the storage. His eyes caught mops, bucket and broom on the corner of the kitchen. "You should have asked us to help you."
"You don't have to, Kei-kun. I'm actually feeling guilty for being too busy these few weeks. I didn't even help you and the others for daily errands." Sakura wiped off sweats from her forehead with her sleeves. Actually she had been awakened again by the pain in her left leg. Aspirins did not seem to work much anymore, since it was getting worse by now.
"It's nothing, Saki onee-san." Kei waved his hand. "You don't need to worry about that. You already worked so hard, so we could do the housework at least." Kei took a mop and started to clean the kitchen table.
Sakura shook her head. "I cannot let you. The test for university admission is coming, right? You should study more." She knew that Kei really wanted to go to Tomoeda University, since they had the best archaeological studies program in the country. She sighed softly, "I wish i could help you for the upcoming university entrance exam."
Kei clenched his fist. He knew that Sakura always went home late at night everyday. She worked herself too much to add extra income to the orphanage. He saw those dark circles around her eyes, not to mention her pale and thin figure.
He sighed. He promised to himself, once he got accepted to the university, he would seek for a part-time job immediately. He had to have some self-awareness to help his sister.
"What is that sound?" A complain was heard as the door revealed Nana's figure, who was still seen sleepy. She glanced at Kei and Sakura and sighed. "This is Sunday, for God's sake." She walked wobbly to the fridge and took out a carton of skimmed milk.
Sakura smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry, Nana-chan. I won't make any noise again, so both of you can go back to sleep."
"You know i can't go back to sleep once i'm awake." said Nana flatly. She sat down and sipped the milk. Her black pearl eyes swept the mess around the kitchen. She knew that her sister must have woken up so early to clean up the house as usual. "Anyway can you give me five thousand yen? There will be an audition in Tokyo next week. I want to go there."
Sakura quickly turned to see Nana, whose eyes looked dull. Kei glared at the younger girl as well and yelled, "Five thousand? Why do you need that much?"
"It's for the transportation and other unexpected costs. You know that Tokyo is expensive." Nana defended herself.
"Do you really have to go to Tokyo? Aren't there any auditions here?" asked Kei again, still shocked.
"What would anyone do at a small town like this?" Nana rolled her eyes. She knew that it would not be that easy to get the money. But she had to do this. This was for her dream.
Sakura pondered for a minute before finally saying, "I don't have money at the moment, Nana. But i promise i will give you later."
Nana snorted roughly and stomped her feet. "Just forget it. I know that you would never give me any."
"Wait, Nana." Sakura reached her hands and spoke softly. "I promise. I know that you really want to be actress. I will support you no matter what."
Nana shoved Sakura's hands, glaring at her. She yelled, "You don't know what i want! Every night, i always say a wish that someday, some rich couple will adapt me, and they can give me everything." She felt her body shook a little by fury. She screamed loudly, "I want to go out from this hell."
A piercing sound was heard when Kei slapped Nana on her face. Sakura was shocked to see it. Kei was also startled from what he just had done.
Nana touched her left cheek. Tears streamed on her face. She burst out of the kitchen and ran to her room. She then slammed and locked her door.
She leaned on the door. Her hands covered her wet face. Her body shook more from crying.
Saki onee-san. Nana gritted her teeth. Dutiful, smart, diligent, beautiful were the words that all Sisters used to describe her. Everyone liked Saki. She was literally the perfect face and role figure of this orphanage.
Nana remembered clearly when the Sisters had told her and every other child to be like Saki, who could hold up all responsibilities flawlessly. She consumed all attentions from everyone. Nana was really tired with all those. Nobody ever saw her. She was always a shadow behind Saki.
But she would not let go of this time. She would prove to everyone that she could be more than Saki. Her fists were clenched.
She would do everything.
"Finally, after fifteen years." Meiling Li exhaled deeply as she went out of her car, faced the white building with a typical red cross symbol in front of her. She had had a blast for the last two days after arriving safely from Hongkong to Tomoeda. Her stiff cousin had not even had an initiative to give her living introduction as the new Tomoeda citizen, even if she would only stay here for about two months. There was no need to say that he was the worst host ever.
She stepped eagerly inside Tomoeda Hospital, where she would spend a voluntary internship for these two months. She actually had not been allowed yet to have an internship like this since she was still only at the second year at university. But this hospital, apart from her childhood memory, was owned by the Kinomotos which was a really good old friend of her family's. Sometimes a nepotism indeed did good. She grinned to herself.
Her ruby orbs scanned the place thoroughly. It was typically a quiet day where there was no hustle and bustle around. Her aunt had said that this hospital was one of the most advanced in cancer research and there would be acquaintances to help her study, which was good news for her. She had put huge interest specializing in oncology. Therefore she hoped to gain a lot of experiences for these two months.
"Are you that Meiling Li, who will be the new volunteer here?" A deep hoarse voice was heard from behind her. She turned around and was greeted by a young man who stared sharply at her with his cold brown eyes.
"Yes." Meiling stuttered, as the man in front of her did not really have a friendly gesture. She bowed respectfully, "My name is Meiling Li. Nice to meet you."
"First day, and you are already late." the man sighed, causing Meiling to ashamedly blush.
"I'm Yukito Tsukishiro, a first year resident. I have been told that you will be on my service for these two months." Yukito continued as he started to walk quickly with Meiling following her. "I hope you will adjust quickly, as there are going to be a lot of things that you have to do. I expect you to have high initiative, take a lot of chance to learn. Do not make a mess, do not be such a troublesome to your mentor, who is me, and do not be late again." He emphasized the last part, glancing at the girl beside him, who already kept up with his pace.
"Wow, tough guy you are." Meiling grinned. "I promise to not disturb you, if you promise that you will let me go inside the operation room once in a while."
Yukito raised his eyebrow, "I don't think that you are in a bargaining position right now."
"I'll make myself into one then." She skipped happily as she took a lab coat which was offered by a nurse.
Yukito glanced at her again. He just noticed his new apprentice completely. Black hair, which was parted into two buns on either side of her head and a ying-yang pendant in her necklace. Her face glowed in excitement, typically an newbie intern.
"No time to admire your new robe. Quickly follow me." Yukito chided loudly. He smiled as he saw her from the corner of his eyes. She just did not know what lied ahead for her. He smirked inwardly.
Syaoran slid off into his limousine as he was finished having a meeting with his subordinates regarding the K&L Hotel project. Busy days were ahead of him, with the upcoming K&L Hotel opening this month. He cursed Eriol for handing over his duties to him, since the Hiiragizawa heir was already busy with his own medical work. Syaoran glanced at three bundles of proposals that he still had to read. But not for this one. Eriol had to do it by himself. Therefore Syaoran threatened him to come today to the final inspection before the official opening.
Once he arrived at the site, Syaoran already spotted his cousin's stocky figure, who was awkwardly talking to Wei. He chuckled inwardly. It was a bit weird to see Eriol, who was usually seen in hospital white coat, now on his official black suit.
"I swore to myself that i would kick you if you didn't come today." Syaoran patted his cousin's shoulder, took a peek at a file he was discussing with Wei.
Eriol frowned at him, "I'm a man of his word, Li. I'm not going to abandon the responsibilities which the elders have trusted me with."
"Good." Syaoran nodded. "You are going to ease a bit of my loads then."
"Then, shall we go and have rounds?" Wei took both of them going around the hotel. There were tens of Kinomoto Group and Li Corporations employees following behind them, taking notes and researching for the corporates' next programs.
Syaoran had had quite an argument with Eriol when they had been deciding the type of this hotel at first. Eriol had preferred a conference hotel type, as he had argued that Tomoeda was one of the main business centres in Japan, beside Tokyo. As for Syaoran, he had suggested a resort hotel. Since he, himself, was sometimes fed up and longed for getaway. He had thought that every business man and woman of Tomoeda surely felt the same as him. But Eriol had won it. They had stuck with the plan and here they were, at the finishing step of their very first business project.
"And here we are at the main conference room." said Wei as they arrived at the top level. They stepped into a large venue which was still undesigned. "I'm still deciding the right design for this main venue. Since we predict that we will host a lot of important expatriates here, I suggest some designs that maybe suitable with the concept."
"These are the choices?" Eriol asked as he surrounded the venue with a piles of design proposals on his hands. "Sakura?" He frowned and nodded his head, reading the proposal's contents. "I think it is the best we will have."
"Sakura?" Syaoran was startled, hearing that word.
He did not understand why suddenly the image of Saki Maeda came up to his mind. Her delicate figure, her lovely face, her stunning emerald orbs, the rosy tint which always featured her cheeks... The ethereal beauty of sakura flower really suited her.
"Yes, Sir. Moreover sakura is the symbol of Japan. We could promote our country's pride more with the design."
Syaoran abruptly grabbed his briefcase from Wei and burst out of the room. He could slightly hear Eriol's shout, mentioning their dinner appointment with Tomoyo. But he could not ignore the image of hers on his mind. Any longer.
Wei was surprised to see his boss' only son suddenly went out of the ongoing inspection, leaving the Hiiragizawa Heir more confused in dealing with the employees. He then stepped up to conclude the meeting and dismiss them. It was actually helping him, since he had been distracted all day long after the last phone call from his sister in Hong Kong.
Wei picked his phone and dialed his daughter's number. Less than ten seconds, he could hear Jia's sweet voice. "My dear, Jia, how are you? Aunt Lin said that you have to stay at hospital again?"
Wei closed his eyes, trying hardly to hold his tears from coming. To hear his daughter's weak voice was like hell to him. He knew that his daughter's condition was getting worse. The bad news had come from his sister, who had helped him to raise Jia in Hong Kong all this time.
Every second, there was always a prayer came from his mouth for his only daughter. He never let his daughter slipped off of his mind. She was the only thing that could help him survived this far. His humpback shook from the restrained sob. He just needed a little more time to fix all the mess that he had done.
Sakura made sure that she had locked the library and given the key back to the security staff after she had finished today errands. It was five o'clock now and her next shift at Autumn Blossom Coffee Shop was still in the next hour.
She wore her coat to cover herself from the weather. January was always colder than any other months. She had fallen asleep a few times today. But it might have been caused by her lack of sleep nowadays. It even had contributed in making her leg pain worse.
She also made a note to herself, to talk to Mr. Terada to allow her wearing a longer skirt, to cover her uglier swelling. Even though it might be putting Rika in more work to make one for her. She shuddered a little as she passed the university gate.
"How can you wear such a thin coat in a cold afternoon like this?" A hoarse voice was heard behind her and suddenly she was covered by a thicker coat. She turned her head and felt surprised when Syaoran Li, with his bright amber orbs, stood in front of her.
"You're still here? I thought that you didn't come to the university today." Sakura looked down. She still felt embarrassed from cussing him a little aimlessly the other day.
Syaoran chuckled quietly. "I have an unfinished business here." He scanned the guilty look on her face. He continued, "You don't have to apologize for the other day. It was nothing."
"I didn't say that i wanted to apologize." She held her breath. Her voice was so small, betraying her initial intention.
He continued to laugh, "It seems that arguing with you is unavoidable in the near future" He smiled warmly. "Are you going home?"
Sakura shook her head, "I'm going to work."
"Work? You have another work?" Syaoran frowned at her. He had never thought that the girl in front of him was tough enough to handle a lot of workloads. But she had proved him wrong eventually.
"Yeah, i actually have another shift at a coffee shop after working at the university. It is close enough from here, on Yaesu District." Sakura smiled.
"You are such a superwoman." said Syaoran amused. "But a superwoman, still, is not supposed to walk alone. It's getting darker now. How about i walk you to the coffee shop?"
Sakura was startled. She looked at him in surprise, "Oh, you don't need to. You must have any other things to do."
He shook his head, "No, i don't have anything to do tonight. So i can accompany you to your workplace, and you can repay me by a cup of coffee, maybe?"
She looked down again. At that time, she realized that her heart thumping hard, as the heat filling her body too. She wondered what had happened to her? Suddenly she remembered the coat that she wore, "Don't you feel cold? I'm actually enough with wearing my jacket."
Syaoran shook his head again. "Anyway, how many works do you have?"
"I only have two; at the university and the coffee shop." Sakura answered. "But recently, i feel the need to earn more, so i do a freelance job at a local web portal."
"Wow, that's a lot of works." He nodded at her. He did not know whether he should feel amazed or worried to hear her.
"I know, but i need to help the Sisters in orphanage." She stopped when she saw him confused. "Oh, i live in an orphanage. It's near here too."
"Can i know what happened that you have to live in an orphanage?" He finally asked as they continued to walk. He tried hardly not to look so surprised, as he was afraid to offend her.
"I was in a car accident with my aunt and uncle when i was four." She answered, smiling sadly. "They were dead at the scene. Sister Maeda saved me and took me to a hospital. When she came to the police office, they said that they didn't receive any accident reports on that day. So she took me to the orphanage."
Syaoran kept looking at the girl beside him. He was shocked. He had never thought that this girl hid a huge secret. Despite her fragile feature, she was strong inside.
The sunlight began to sink in afterglow as they continued to walk downtown. It was such a beautiful view that the glow accented her every feature. He felt himself sunk into her spell.
"She always said to me that my parents will come to take me with them. But they haven't until now." she sighed softly, even though she was still smiling. "I don't remember anything about my family. But it's alright. The people in the orphanage are my family now. I'm fine with them."
Syaoran felt himself speechless. He had always thought that he was so lonely, living alone while his mother and sisters abroad, busy with their own activities. But she was way lonelier than him. Instead of pitying her, he felt disappointed to himself. "Hmm, your story sounds like a great inspiration for my novel."
Sakura turned her head to see him. She chuckled, "What? Then you have to pay me royalties once you publish it."
"I will, if you help me to write it." He suddenly stopped and held her hand.
Sakura looked at their intertwined hands. Her heart thumped much harder now. She was not brave enough to hold her face up and look at him.
"Saki-san! Glad that you arrived earlier!"
They apparently had arrived in front of the coffee house and Takashi suddenly appeared before them. She quickly let off of his hand and greeted her co-worker. "Good evening, Takashi-kun. I met my friend on the way and brought him here. I hope you and others won't mind."
Takashi looked at the awkward two, and smiled mischievously, "Of course, we won't mind. Let's come inside. We are having a party."
Sakura smiled curtly to Syaoran as they went inside the coffee shop. The other co-workers and Rika were occupying the corner of the shop, near the grand piano. Loud noise filled the space. The other guests did not seem disturbed by them.
"Saki-chan! Come here!" Chiharu pulled Sakura to them as the other surrounded Rika, who seemed glowing in happiness. A lot of presents and a cake were on the table. "We are celebrating Rika's pregnancy. We gave her a present from our employee's savings."
"Ah, Rika-san, i'm sorry i haven't congratulated you yet." Sakura exclaimed and went to hug her friend.
"Don't worry about that, Saki. I'm already happy that you guys threw this surprise party and gave present." Rika smiled kindly. She then turned to see Syaoran. "Is that your friend, Saki?"
Sakura nodded and introduced Syaoran to the others, "This is my friend, Li Syaoran. He said that he wanted to visit me at work, so i invited him here."
"Nice to meet all of you." Syaoran smiled and nodded to them. "I just want to make sure that she works well."
Takashi laughed and patted Syaoran on the shoulder, "Saki is one of the best workers here. Even Terada-sama always put more attention to her."
"You always talk too much, Takashi." Chiharu chided and hit her boyfriend's head, while the others were laughing at them.
"Ah, Saki-chan, why don't you play a song for us?" Naoko suddenly chirped excitedly.
"Oh, i forgot about that. Saki-chan plays piano and sings well too." Takashi told Syaoran as Chiharu gave him another hit.
Sakura blushed and quickly shook her head, "I'm not that good."
Rika nodded in agreement, "Yes, of course! You have to play and sing for me, Saki-chan! Please!"
As the others now were persuading Sakura, Syaoran looked at the girl who always surprised himself. Her charm invited him to know more about her. His eyes followed her when she finally agreed to play and walked to the piano. She glanced at him and smiled, before her hands started to play a song.
"When you get caught in the rain with nowhere to run
When you're distraught and in pain, without anyone
When you keep crying out to be saved, but nobody comes
And you feel so far away
That you just can't find your way home
You can get there alone, it's okay
What you say is
I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again on my own
And I know that I'm strong enough to mend
And every time I feel afraid, I hold tighter to my faith
And I live one more day and I make it through the rain"
He felt himself subsided, sank on her sweet, melodic voice. Even though this was a well-known song of a great singer, but this was like the first most beautiful song that he ever heard in his life. He was totally tranced by her.
Her face was full of emotions as she sang through the lyrics. She seemed like she was trying to encourage herself by singing that song. Takashi, Rika, Chiharu, Naoko, and even the other guests, were mesmerized too. As if they shared the same emotions as her. As if they were invited to her world as well.
He experienced something that never had come to himself before. He realized it. His heart was warm, like it had finally belonged to something.
At that time, he promised to himself, that he would protect her. That he would never see her cry anymore.
Nadeshiko stood in front of Yoshiyuki's house. She had been here for a few minutes, but nobody opened the door. He had informed her that he had already went to recheck the scene where the accident had happened and finally had found something that he thought strange.
She took out her phone and called her junior once again. "I'm already in front of your house, Yoshiyuki-san. But it seems that your wife is not here at the moment."
"Nadeshiko-san, i'm sorry. I think she is currently at the coffee shop. There is a small celebration for her there. Could you stay at the coffee shop for a while? I will call her to accompany you as well." Yoshiyuki was heard apologetic.
"It's alright, Yoshiyuki-san. I will wait for you there."
Nadeshiko stepped out of the small house and went into the coffee shop next to it. She saw a small crowd inside.
It seems like they are having a party. Nadeshiko said inwardly.
She opened the door and a beautiful singing welcomed her in instant. She saw a young girl was playing a piano at the corner of the coffee shop. Everyone seemed to be stunned by the girl, that no one realized her coming inside.
"And if you keep falling down, don't you dare give in
You will arise safe and sound, so keep pressing on steadfastly
And you'll find what you need to prevail
What you say is
I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again on my own
And I know that I'm strong enough to mend
And every time I feel afraid, I hold tighter to my faith
And I live one more day and I make it through the rain"
Nadeshiko paused there as the singing continued to her ear, giving a very warm feeling. She did not understand why the girl was like telling, encouraging herself to get through every of her misery from losing her only daughter. The girl was like telling her that someday, if she kept the faith, there would come a day when finally she could reunite with her daughter. Without her realizing it, a tear dropped to her cheek.
She knew why everyone was so captivated by the girl, just like herself. The girl sang the song wholeheartedly. She could really lift up the true meaning of the song, without others forgot the melody. Not every professional singer could even do that.
"And when the wind blows
As shadows grow close
Don't be afraid, there's nothing you can't face
And should they tell you, you'll never pull through
Don't hesitate, stand tall and say
I can make it through the rain
I can stand up once again on my own
And I know that I'm strong enough to mend
And every time I feel afraid, I hold tighter to my faith
And I live one more day and I make it through the rain"
She instantly gave a loud applause like everyone else in the coffee shop. Even some of them shed their tears like her. The girl was surrounded and hugged by her friends.
"Bravo, Saki-chan!"
Nadeshiko wiped off her tears and suddenly realized that the girl was the one who had helped her getting back her purse. She went slowly near the girl, who was still cheered by her friends. "Excuse me, are you the one who helped me back then?"
Sakura turned to see her and was startled. She recognized the woman that she had helped. She quickly stood up and bowed to the woman. "Yes, Ma'am. I was the one that helping you."
Nadeshiko smiled widely. She could not help herself that she reached the girl into her embrace. She hugged the girl tightly, "Thank you very much."
Sakura felt herself suddenly sank down when the woman hugged her. She felt a warm feeling that she never knew before. She then encircled her hands, hugged the woman back. At that moment, she suddenly caught the figure of the mysterious lady. She standing there near the entrance door, smiling at Sakura warmly.
Nadeshiko's phone was suddenly ringing, interrupting that moment of theirs. She smiled nervously as she picked up the call. "Hello? Alright, I'm going right now."
"Nadeshiko-sama." Syaoran came up at them, bowed at Nadeshiko.
"Syaoran-kun? These all are your friends?" Nadeshiko seemed surprised to see him. "Oh, I'm going to see Tomoyo right now. Would you like to go too?"
Syaoran forced a smile and nodded. He then turned at Sakura and said, "I will see you again then."
Sakura nodded. She was kind of confused to see that Syaoran apparently knew this woman and to hear Tomoyo's name. What is the relationship between this woman and Tomoyo? she thought.
Nadeshiko faced Sakura again, put her hand at the girl's right shoulder. "I will come back here to repay your help. You work here, right?"
Sakura nodded confusedly. She never intended to get a pay back for what she had done. But she nodded because she wanted to meet the woman again. She wanted to have that warm feeling again.
Sakura saw as Syaoran and that woman got out from the coffee shop. Naoko suddenly tugged her hands and chirped, "Saki-chan, please play one more song. Please!"
Sakura smiled. She wanted to reply Naoko, but suddenly her head was spinning. Pain in her legs were worsening. Her eyes fixed on the lady in front of her. Instead of hearing her friend screaming, she saw the lady opened her mouth and started to sing a lullaby to her.
"Harukeki yama no ha hi wa ochite
Toki nagareshi nagori tsugen
Narekashi kane no ne ni
Shibashi wa ikowan
Kureyuku hitotose
Taema naki megumi yo
Tataen iza kozorite
Hatenaki misora ni hoshi ukabi
Yo o michibiku shirube o nasu
Mayoishi waga michi ni
Mikami wa shimesan
Kureyuku hitotose
Tokoshie no shiawase
Inoran iza kozorite
Shizukeki yuube ni yume yasuku
Shu wa amaneku mamoritamou
Ama narumi tsukai wa shinabe o kanaden
Kureyuku hitotose
Uruwashiki ashita yo
Mukaen iza kozorite"
It felt so hard for me to finish this fifth chapter. But i finally made it, despite the writer's block which has been haunting me. Anyone could suggest me how to fight the writer's block? :(
Huge gratitude, as usual, to the honoured readers that have put reviews and alerts:
Shinobi of life
Deenawin
sakura 42002: you're welcome! :)
amwick
ding: i swear, i reaaaaalllllly want to tell you all things! but i have to restrain myself :| i hope that i can still keep an interesting plot while meeting the two faster. thank you very much for your kind review! :)
.3363
Matsukaze Tenma
kaylaanime1492901
Artemisia Selene
gemgembo
Nelanie
and to the other readers who haven't dropped any alerts! :)