MMG- Chapter 12
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"Good luck, Tomoyo-chan!"
Sakura ran to Tomoyo's side and hugged her encouragingly. She took her best friend's hands and squeezed it lightly as if trying to ease the other girl's tensions.
Tomoyo smiled at her and uttered a soft 'thank you'. She couldn't say more since she was somewhat nervous of what would happen. She had joined in a lot of contest but this one is different. She only joins singing contests, after all.
She looked at her excited best friend and smiled an anxious smile. She turned to the blushing boy beside her best friend and winked at him. At least, while she is on the stage, there would be a chance for the little wolf to confess his utmost feelings
Well, enough with this! Let's proceed to the main event…
As you may have realized now, the popular beauty pageant would start some time soon.
Actually, it would start in…
5
4
3
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1!
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the grand opening of the most awaited beauty pageant, 'Search for the ideal Tomoeda girl!'"
Yamazaki, who was quite dashing wearing a black tuxedo, greeted the audience with a handsome smile. He paused dramatically while the audience clapped and cheered.
"We shall now witness the battle between ten lovely ladies to get the crown for the most beautiful and most intelligent girl in Tomoeda!" He stopped and looked at the red curtains concealing the ten girls. "Let us welcome, the ten contestants for the search for ideal Tomoeda girl!"
That's Tomoyo's cue!
The red curtain opened slowly, and out came ten lovely young ladies. Tomoyo was one of them. She walked gracefully to the center of the stage. She was the first contestant.
"Good afternoon. Don't waste a minute not being happy. If one window closes, run to the next window," she paused to take in a slightly shaky breath and then continued with a playful smile, "or break down a door"
The audience laughed in chorus, inwardly admiring the beautiful and witty lady in front of them; a rich, popular and talented girl. The goddess-like beauty was clad in a silky lavender gown that accented her deep amethyst eyes and hugged her petite body. She was Aphrodite in the flesh!
That's why even a certain all-powerful, all-knowing mage couldn't take his eyes off her. Really, it is amusing how he can control everything in this world, even time and fate, but he cannot control his own admiration towards the Plum.
"I am Daidouji Tomoyo. Good day."
She curtsied and then walked gracefully back to her original place. Yamazaki called on the next contestant.
The next contestant, a certain Ryoko something, was also beautiful. But definitely not like the personification of ethereal beauty (that is certainly called Tomoyo) and not as witty too.
So let's not waste our time discussing the other contestants…
"Now, the moment we are waiting for… No, of course it's not yet decision time. It's the time I have been waiting for… let's see the contestants in their swimsuits!"
A very angry Chiharu Mihara walked to the smiling host and whacked him in the head… poor Yamazaki-kun! "Just continue with calling the contestants, baka!"
Massaging the lump on his head, he smiled again and looked at the audience. "As my lovely girl friend said, I'll continue calling the contestants now. Let me call on, the contestants in their swim wear!"
…
The next part… talent portion!
Tomoyo changed to a light blue dress. "Daidouji-san, we would start in five minutes" Rika, the student council secretary, reminded. The nervous contestant merely smiled at the secretary and nodded.
"Are you ready?" asked Eriol, her official pianist for the day.
"I'm ready… I think" she answered tensely. She laced her hands together and closed her eyes to calm herself. 'This is just like every other contest. I'll just go there and sing…'
"You can do it" He said encouragingly with a small smile. "You've done this before, and you never give off an ugly performance. You're always the best singer in town"
"Thanks"
…
"Let's welcome… contestant number one: singing way back into love, Daidouji Tomoyo!" The audience clapped their hands, waiting for the well-known Tomoeda nightingale.
Tomoyo and Eriol walked to the stage. The mage escorted the plum to the center of the stage then went to his piano seat, his personal throne.
She looked at him and their eyes met.
'You can do it. I'm here'
She waved her hand as a sign that he could start. He gracefully placed his hands on the keys and played the intro.
"I've been living with a shadow overhead
I've been sleeping with a cloud above my bed
I've been lonely for so long
Trapped in the past
I just can't seem to move on
'If you just know how much you have helped me. I have been wearing that mask too long that I even thought that I had fooled myself. I have been too traumatized by what had happened when we were on sixth grade that I thought I would never be able to stand up'
"I've been hiding all my hopes and dreams away
Just in case I ever need them again someday
I've been setting aside time
To clear a little space in the corners of my mind
'Do you remember what my dream was? To be happy with the one I love… I think…'
"All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
"I've been watching but the stars refuse to shine
I've been searching but I just don't see the signs
I know that it's out there
There's got to be something for my soul somewhere
She looked at Eriol straight in the eye. The pianist had his eyes closed so he didn't see her staring at him. He was obviously savoring the music flowing between the two of them.
"I've been looking for someone to shed some light
Not somebody just to get me through the night
I could use some direction
And I'm open to your suggestions
"All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart again
I guess I'm hoping you'll be there for me in the end
"There are moments when I don't know if it's real
Or if anybody feels the way I feel
I need inspiration
Not just another negotiation
"All I want to do is find a way back into love
I can't make it through without a way back into love
And if I open my heart to you
I'm hoping you'll show me what to do
And if you help me to start again
You know that I'll be there for you in the end"
The audience clapped and gave her a standing ovation. Almost everyone had heard her sing, but this was a new one for them. It had a certain more beautiful melody to it… the melody of a singing besotted heart
…
Skipping the other parts of the pageant, let's go on to my most waited part…
"Now, for the question and answer portion, the judges will ask questions for the contestants. The twist is that, the questions are chosen from a variety of suggestions that the student body had given to the student council. So, expect that the questions would be extra hard but exact for you. And extra interesting too." Yamazaki explained while the contestants lined up in front.
There are only five contestants now: Fujiwara Ryoko, Takimoto Yuki, Karasuma Saisha, Ceres Sango and, of course, Daidouji Tomoyo.
"Let's now call the first contestant, Daidouji Tomoyo." Yamazaki called out. "Please get a ball from here" He handed her a fish bowl and she took a ball as he instructed.
A certain handsome mage flicked his hands to turn the situation to his side.
"Daidouji Tomoyo, 2" the host said to the judge. The dean, which was the chosen judge to ask Tomoyo, browsed through a paper and stopped at one part.
Looking at her, he asked, "This is a special question from Mr. Admiring Gentleman"
A chorus of 'ayee…' erupted from the audience. Of course, all the readers know this certain gentleman who wants to ask a question to our fair lady.
"The question goes like this: What is an ideal man for you? Just curious. I want to be that man someday" The dean, a bespectacled woman of fifty, smiled at her and commented teasingly, "Well; this is quite an important question. An important question that needs a truthful and urgent answer"
"I agree with you, mam. Matters of the heart are most important" replied Tomoyo with a healthy blush on her cheeks. She managed to maintain her posture and voice even if inside, she was feeling both very happy and excited.
It had been months since she last received a letter from the mysterious admiring gentleman. Though she knows that the words he uses are always sugar coated, she somehow feels comforted by the thought of someone taking effort on writing those cute little notes. Unlike the other letters from her fans, those letters felt true; very sweet and flattering but it had an air of affection, feelings that are intangible yet important to her. She herself cannot explain how she feels this.
"First of all, an ideal man doesn't exist in my own perception. It is not something to think about given that it is not real. I have been around lovers almost all my high school life and even now in college" She shot a meaningful look towards the little wolf then proceeded to her answer. "During that time, I realized many things. And one of those was that we find love whenever we are not expecting it.
"The more I ask for an ideal man, or the more I visualize a perfect one for me, the less probability that he would arrive. All I ask is a man who would respect not only me but my best friend, my mother and my other friends.
"And Mr. Admiring gentleman, whoever you are, I think I like you the way you are. You might as well be an ideal man for a simple girl like me" she winked cutely before adding, "That's all, thank you"
A chorus of dreamy sighs was heard from half the male population of Tomoeda. Hearing this from a beautiful, talented and rich girl just made a flicker of hope for the heart broken and for the single men.
Eriol found himself slightly blushing at her last comment. Please… Daidouji-san, Tomoyo, stop doing those things… or else… I'll never be able to stop myself from falling more than I am now. And that would just bury me and would hinder me from breathing. I wouldn't want that.
…
And now, the awarding. Need I say who won?
"Wait a few moment while we wait for the results from the judges" Yamazaki announced as the contestants went backstage.
…
"Sakura!"
"Hai, Syaoran-kun. I feel it. There's an aura of a Clow card somewhere" Sakura looked up to the starry sky and gasped. "Full moon!"
"What?!" He also looked up and saw that it was a full moon that day. There was a different glow on the moon. "The return!"
"There are two presences! One is return, but what's the other?" she asked with eyes closed. She was trying to find out where the aura was. "There!" She ran towards the exit of the stadium, followed closely by Syaoran.
…
"Master, the return is finally here. But it has another card with it. It seems as though they are fused together." Spinnel explained to his master.
"Shame… I was thinking of watching Tomoyo until she wins." He sighed and looked up to his guardians. "Let's go!" With the wave of his staff, they were transported to the front of a shrine; Tsukimine shrine to be exact.
…
Tomoyo looked outside as they waited for the result. She then noticed that Eriol was gone and that Sakura and Syaoran were running towards the exit. Not thinking much of why the Londoner was gone, she followed after her best friend.
Given the Daidouji's power of observation, she knew that Sakura's gestures means that there is another Clow Card lurking around. She didn't care if she wouldn't know who would win in the pageant, the Clow card (and videotaping Kawaii Sakura) is more important.
…
When Sakura and Syaoran arrived at the Tsukimine shrine, they didn't see anything that was weird. It was the same as always.
"Where is it? It seems as if it just disappeared into thin air." Syaoran was irritated. He had waited quite a long time for this card. It can't just disappear! He even fainted because of fatigue when he trained too hard for this card…
Seeing his irritation, the card mistress took his hand and smiled at him. He instantly blushed when he felt this. He shyly smiled, feeling most of his anger evaporating because of her lovely sunshine smile.
"Let's just wait, ne? It will arrive, I'm sure" She smiled more brightly, hoping to make him feel better.
They both walked towards the big cherry blossoms tree. They jumped to a high branch, sitting beside each other. By doing this, Sakura's hand left Syaoran's. He felt a sudden incompleteness and coldness but he did not dare think about it much. It was enough that she was the subject of his thoughts, from his waking hours to his dreams. She cannot hinder him further. The honor of his clan is still his number one priority even if the Daidouji match maker thinks otherwise.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard her speak to him suddenly. "I'll just get some drinks from over there" she pointed to one direction where a vending machine stood. He nodded.
As Sakura hurried to the vending machine, Tomoyo came into view. Sakura didn't see her coming.
"Li! Have you told her yet?" she asked excitedly. However, when she looked into his eyes, she knew that he hasn't. He was still heavily in denial. "Why?"
"There is nothing to tell. I am purely admiring her. This is just a little crush like what I had for you when we were younger" there was no embarrassment on his tone. They had accepted the fact that they had a tiny crush for each other when they were younger. It was just little anyway.
"I saw you having a crush on me. That's why I matched you with Sakura, don't you remember? I know how you act when you have a crush and I know when you are madly in-love. And I can say surely that you are madly in-love with my best friend.
"Don't waste your time thinking about everything. Listen to your heart. Weren't you overly jealous when I was match making her and Eriol? That's why I stopped trying to match make those two!" she smiled as his frowning face turned to a thinking one.
He knew that the thing he felt whenever he saw Sakura blushing because of Eriol was jealousy. He just didn't like acknowledging such feeling. Her proposition was slightly opening a crack on his well known Li pride. Maybe, just maybe… he really loves the Cherry?
…
"Tomoyo-chan! Why are you here?" inquired Sakura with an innocent curious face.
"Can I miss a chance of videotaping the goddess of cuteness?" Tomoyo said, starry eyed. "Do you want to wear this costume and mask I made?" she pleaded with her eyes and pouted like a child.
Sighing, Sakura took the clothes. She can't win against her bestfriend's pleading face.
Before she could go to some place to change into her new set of costume, a sudden powerful aura overwhelmed her.
The Return!
…But what's the other?
A strong wind swayed them out of balance. Another gust of wind dragged them towards the big cherry blossom tree.
A black portal opened. It sucked Sakura, Tomoyo…
…And Eriol!
Eriol, who was hiding on a nearby tree with his guardians, was surprised when he was taken by the portal too. His guardians didn't even move. What's the meaning of this?
…
A/N: I'll finish it with this episode. I'm just taking a rest… (sigh) This is too tiring! We were celebrating just an hour ago!
Anyway, continue with the story!
…
Eriol rolled into a grassy garden. Where is he? Where did the return lead him? He silently crept behind a bush.
"Syao- Syaoran-kun!" Eriol looked up to see a 12-year old Tomoyo blushingly talking with a 12-year old Syaoran. So… it brought him to the time when Tomoyo still likes Syaoran?
"I have… something to tell you. I think I…" She looked at him straight in the eye. She was determined to ask him of what he feels.
"What is it, Tomoyo?" he asked.
He called her Tomoyo? That means she was really special for him! Wow… this is quite a discovery.
"I… you… I think I like you" she whispered, barely audible. Before he could answer, she ran off. She was obviously afraid of what he will say.
The scene suddenly blurred, replaced by another scenery; an airport.
"Why don't you talk to Ms. Daidouji first before you leave?" an old man dressed like a butler that Eriol recognized as Wei-san said.
"I have no intention of talking to her." He said coldly.
"She told you what she felt yesterday. It is only right for her to know that you're going away"
He shook his head. "I don't need to inform her"
The scene blurred again
…
Tomoyo found herself with Sakura and Syaoran. They were, surprisingly, in Eriol's room. He looked exactly how he looks today, other than the fact that he was in his pajamas. That means, this is a not so distant past.
The three hid behind a big red couch as they looked at Eriol sitting up on his bed.
"Who are you?"
The three looked beyond Eriol and saw two peculiar creatures. There was a redhead girl with butterfly wings and a big blue panther with butterfly wings too. What are they doing here?
… They listened throughout the conversation.
"What?" Tomoyo whispered to her friends. "Does this mean Eriol has powers too?"
Syaoran glared at Eriol. "I knew he was hiding something."
"But he didn't do anything wrong to us, right?" Sakura sounded less optimistic than usual.
The situation blurred. They were transported to the time when they were with Mizuki Kaho, the fortune teller.
"Why haven't they woken up?" Eriol asked to the fortune teller.
"I intended for you to wake up first. Your other half gave me this, the other reincarnation of Clow Reed" she said with a delighted glint in her eyes. Eriol looked at her curiously.
"Other half? So… that means Eriol is the other half reincarnation of Clow Reed!" Tomoyo whispered to her companions. She knew that Eriol was the secretive type… but this much secret?
"Could it be?" was all Sakura could utter. She was feeling beyond confused.
The scene blurred again.
…
The four finally ended up with each other.
"Hiiragizawa!" Syaoran shouted to Eriol who was a few meters away from him.
"Why are you angry so suddenly again?" he asked but stopped when he saw the expressions on the girl's faces.
Wait… he saw about the truth behind Syaoran and Tomoyo's relationship. Which could only mean that they would see something about him too. The only thing that the card could show would be the fact that Eriol is Clow Reed's reincarnation.
"I see… so you've finally figured it out" he said, suddenly switching moods from the usual to his Clow Reed mood.
"Guys, someone's coming!" Sakura, who was silent, whispered urgently.
Syaoran suddenly disappeared into thin air. Before they could think about what had happened, a voice rang through the room they were in.
"But, elder, that couldn't be true! He shouldn't die! He couldn't! He wouldn't!" They saw Yelan crying, different from the composed Li-sensei they knew.
"This is final. It was said in Clow Reed's prophesy that the last descendant with the true Li blood would die before all the cards could be captured"
"No… I would help my child. I would go to Tomoeda."
"Do what you want. Nothing could change what the fate dictates"
The scene blurred again… but this time, a portal opened before them. It sucked them inside.
…
"Sakura!" Kero-chan yelled when he saw his mistress. His eyes suddenly softened when he saw Eriol. "I knew it… I felt your aura. You came back for us"
He helped the three of them up.
"What happened? How did you stop the return?" Sakura asked.
"It's all thanks to the brat. He saved you, Tomoyo and master Clow"
Sakura ran to the tree. She saw Syaoran barely conscious. He was holding his sword for support, as if for his dear life.
"Syaoran-kun! Are you okay?"
"I saw what mother and the elder talked about. Sakura… I'll die before all the cards are captured" there was overwhelming sadness in his voice.
"But before I die, I want to say something…"
"You're not gonna die yet! We already met the Clow reed reincarnation… he could help us"
"Fate could not be altered. I want to say first… at least before I die, I could let you know…I" he hesitated for a minute. What if he will just confuse his beloved Cherry blossom? What would it do to their relationship as friends?
If he would die, he would rather do with a light heart; a heart without secrets. But he couldn't risk hurting Sakura.
'She would not be hurt' a voice of tranquility whispered to him. It was a mother-like beautiful voice. And so he believed it.
"I love you"
…
Yatsi-chan: Okay… I now realize that I cannot finish this on my birthday. I'm so sleepy I can't even think straight! I'll update as soon as I can. Gomen ne! Please don't hate me…
At least the story's having answers now, right? You'll find out more!