Disclaimer: CCS and Tada, Kimi Wo Aishiteru isn't mine.

Second chapter…Syaoran's perspective. Three parter. Or shall I blast you all with the ending in this one…we shall see ne?

It's because I fell in love with you：僕は彼女に恋した　

Chapter One: From that kiss

Oi Sakura, why didn't you ever tell me anything? The time when I totally ditched you at the sidewalk outside an ice cream shop because Meiling suddenly wanted me to go to the beach with her. It was fun times, I admit. I felt like I actually belonged then – but it was nothing without you…did you know that? Even though everyone was nice and kind to me…your missing presence meant everything. Absolutely everything.

Your smile…your goofy grin…your childish outlook on things…

Why didn't you tell me…that you cried that day?

The day I came back from the beach, I saw you, still waiting outside that ice cream shop, sitting down on the edge of the path. It was almost sunset, and I could see you were sleeping – again – from waiting for me so long. We agreed to meet at noon, didn't we? You waited for me for that long? Slowly, I placed my hand on your shoulder, and gently shook you awake. You awoke with a startled cry, thinking you were being attacked, but suddenly, a goofy smile took place on your face. "Took you time!" you laughed, slowly getting up, obviously hiding your sadness.

I observed your actions closely, and decided it was time, "Sakura – want to cross that road?"

"…" was your response, and you waved it off, "I'm sure you were tired – from whatever made you late. Right? I know Syaoran-kun wouldn't leave me alone for so long without a reason,"

I felt guilty – I had left her there, without even a message, because my crush had asked me out to go to the beach.

I'm such a jerk…

"It wasn't that important…"

"Stop lying, Syaoran-kun! To me, it might not be important, but it was definitely important to you and that's what counts…although I admit I do want to cross that crossing…but I shouldn't be selfish, its very unbecoming." You said softly.

Before you could even say another word, I took your hand, and we started running. To the university crossing.

…

I saw you gasp, when you saw no one and no cars in sight. The whole university campus – including all the roads off it, were barren. I heard you laugh in delight, as you took your hand away from mine, and started running up and down the crossing.

How can something so simple bring you so much joy?

"Syaoran! I never thought of it like this – since its so late now, no one would be here!" you gasped, slightly tired from running so much.

I chuckled, and waved hesitantly, "Well, I need to go now…as you said…I am tired…"

Immediately you stopped laughing, "Oh…well…goodbye then, Syaoran-kun."

It felt like a stab in the heart…didn't it…Sakura…

I wasn't even tired…I just didn't want anyone around to do what I enjoyed doing. And at that time, it included you… but, instead of leaving me alone, like what other people would do, you followed me. I didn't notice it at first, but when I climbed over the gate at the nearby forest (one with a sign saying: NO TRESPASSERS), I heard footsteps.

Soft ones, but footsteps none the least. I remember hastily turning around, and found you looking rather lost and curiously at me. You asked what I was doing at the forest, and I shook my head in distrust.

But you didn't take silence for an answer, did you? As I continued on further; deeper and deeper into the forest, you followed me all along. You never came closer than about 10 metres though, you watched me take out my camera, and take snapshots of the scenery.

The only thing I could remember was annoyance at your actions back then.

…

The next day, as I walked into the canteen, I saw Meiling wave me over, to sit with her 'popular' group. I felt strangely honoured, and didn't think twice about sitting next to her. The endless chatter and gossip started then, at her table. Her group didn't even blink at me; simply accepted the fact I was invited by Meiling.

Surrounding Meiling were various other males and females. A male called Takeshi, who was smiling at Meiling like there was no tomorrow. Another male named Eriol, who was shamelessly trying to charm her. Then there was Tomoyo and Chiharu on the sidelines, watching as their two friends tried to get Meiling's attention.

Don't get me wrong; Meiling isn't simply the flirty, desperate female you see all the time in those movies. Nawh, she was smart; I'll give you that. She knew what those two men were trying to do, and she wasn't exactly welcoming it. Meiling wasn't desperate. At every attempt the two tried, she rejected. It was no wonder Tomoyo, Chiharu and Meiling were still tight friends.

Body language does a strange thing; I could tell instantly Tomoyo had an unrequited love towards Eriol. Oh, I don't know. Was it her silent stares or her awkward movements that gave it away? And Chiharu – you could tell instantly she wasn't used to being ignored by Takeshi. She kept trying to get his attention by smashing his head – not that it was working.

Meiling caught my eye once or twice – and I blushed at every glance. I'm sure she gets my body language too.

Upon those thoughts, I saw you enter suddenly – and found you staring at me and the group. You smiled sadly, and went and sat by yourself at a table in a corner. At that time, I thought, "You understand too, right?"

Do you remember, Sakura? When that scene happened? I was such, a cold-hearted jerk back then; I didn't notice how you felt at all.

But at least, I made up for that saddening scene later on when I once again climbed over that No Trespasser's sign to the forest. I looked back to find you hauling your dress up to climb over the fence. It was such a funny sight, I couldn't help but snigger. You indignantly trenched on behind me, both of us not uttering a single word. Until we arrived at the lake.

"Wow…it's so pretty." You said, smiling at the scene. The lake was indeed crystal clear; a sanctuary for both of us. We looked onwards to the never ending sea of blue, shining in the light. It was almost ethereal.

But all things that seem heavenly have an end.

…

Back at the university, I invited you over for dinner to develop the pictures we took at the Forest. You agreed with a HUGE goofy grin on your face, and twirled around, laughing. I couldn't help but smile too. Sakura, your smile is contagious. I saw Meiling staring at the back of my eye, but I brushed the feeling of uneasiness away. For some reason, I would much rather please your childish wishes than to spend another day at the beach, lying there in the sun…

I heard Takeshi distantly say something like "Is that his girlfriend?" and giggling that followed after from the girls. Whatever, I thought. They can be immature if they want, but Sakura was simply a friend.

As we were developing the photos, I saw you bewildered face as she dipped it into the acid.

"Wait a minute, can you?" I asked you, "I'm going to hang them up,"

You nodded happily, and I went off in the other room. But what I didn't realise, Sakura, was that, on that day, you saw the photos I had taken before; including the one of you crossing that road…with your hand up, a determined expression on your face.

When I came back into that room, I saw your face light up, and you smiled, "Dinner is on me."

I never knew you ate ANYTHING but donut biscuits at that time, so when you prepared a traditional Japanese meal, I was so surprised. I couldn't say anything but "wow".

I found it funny, when you started eating the rice and drinking the miso soup. You frowned at me, asking what was wrong. I replied, telling you that seeing you eat proper food is so disturbing.

You laughed, and told me she'll eat it all if I didn't stop gaping at her.

While washing the dishes, I asked you about your family.

But your answer wasn't what I expected.

"My dad is in Hokkaido, I'm in Tokyo by myself…my mother's dead – she's never been there as far as I can remember."

That just didn't seem like something you'll say. But you continued on never the least.

"I used to have a brother, but he died two years ago. I ran away from home then, because my father didn't seem to care much. You remember how I said I have really bad senses? It's because it's a disease inherited in my family. My mother died shortly after giving birth to my brother. My brother died when he was seventeen. Just when he fell in love with this wonderful girl he grew up with…"

You turned to me brightly, waving the sponge around in your hand, "But I'm not going to give up the world that easily! You know why I'm still alive? It's because I must've inherited my dad's genes!"

"Oh! I almost forget…Syaoran-kun…can you help me with the photography competition? I just need to take one photo at that forest…"

For some reason, that night was filled with awkward silences from me; it was your voice that kept the house alive. It was also that night that I found out, indeed how much I didn't know about you.

…

"Are you sure about this?" you asked me for the fifty billionth time.

I smiled slightly, and told her with an assuring voice, "of course. It's only a kiss…if you can win that competition with that kiss, then why not?"

The camera was set up nearby, and you were anxiously in one of your prettiest dresses (that made you resemble a child even more). Your wide emerald eyes seemed to pour themselves into my amber ones.

"Syaoran…isn't this your first kiss?"

Whoa. Now how did you know that? Of course it was! It's not like I, the almighty-reject Syaoran Li, kissed girls on a daily basis. I had valued my first kiss greatly…but at the thought that it might help you win, I didn't seem to care much anymore. Anything for you, Sakura. I couldn't ever bear to disappoint you…

I counter-acted that by saying, "I have a feeling this kiss is going to be your first as well".

No response. I take it I was right.

Slowly, I saw you move in closer to me. I could smell your scent now, Sakura. Of flowers…ivy was it? Or was it roses…you hesitated while about five centimetres from my face. You whispered, "You don't need to do this for me, you know,"

"I know."

And then, I ducked my head, and placed my lips on your soft ones.

I closed my eyes, and heard a slight click, and a flash.

Well this is it.

But I couldn't stop. Because at that moment, you were my world. Nothing else seemed to properly exist. All I saw was you. But was this all it was? For a picture? Sakura, did you feel anything in this kiss…not even a tiny bit? Because it was from this kiss, that I finally realised something.

Why was I so absorbed into Meiling; a girl I can never get, when the girl that's always been beside me…been there when no one else was, I ignored?

Suddenly, you pulled back, and you touched your lips. Hesitantly, you stepped away from me, and smiled slightly, "Thank you, Syaoran-kun. That was a wonderful photograph."

So it was just a photograph…

"Ne, let's have dinner now, shall we? I'll just go to buy some groceries – wait for me at my apartment, ok?"

I saw you nod, and with that confirmation, I ran. As fast as I could, away. I could feel tears fill the brims of my eyes, but I wiped them away hastily.

It was very unbecoming for a guy to cry, you know.

…

When I came back, with a swift tadaima, at the doorway, I noticed something was wrong. There were no banging noises of you falling over; there wasn't any random laughing at the television screen…there was no happy shouting of your perfect photograph…

No smile came to greet me…

I ran to check in each room of the apartment. I was frantic with worry. Where on earth had you gone?

And then I saw it, on the refrigerator door. A note ironically held up with a smilie magnet.

Dear Syaoran-kun,

Thank you for everything.

Goodbye.

Sakura.

…

7 years later…

On that day, I ran everywhere. I ran to the convenience store – I ran to the library. I ran to the university, shouting and screaming your name everything. This had to be a joke, I thought. You wouldn't leave me, right? Not when I just found out what was truly important to me.

You wouldn't…wouldn't ever leave me.

I walked all over the city that night, trying to find you. I was determined you were playing hide and seek with me, messing with my mind.

I ran back to the forest, maybe you were still taking photos. All that was left was the camera stand with a packet of donut biscuits.

Why did you leave me?

I didn't hear from Sakura in the next 7 years. I still kept the note she left on my fridge, "Thank you for everything. Goodbye. –Sakura."

I didn't receive any postcards – no letters. No nothing. I passed my Humanitarian Studies with flying colours, and eventually took up photography as well. You had inspired me to be a photographer; wherever you were, I don't want to let you down.

But then, one day, as I was impatiently going through the usual bills and enquires from my mailbox…I found something, that tore my heart apart.

Dear Syaoran-kun,

It's been a long time, hasn't it? I still remember the days when I laughed like there was no tomorrow; days when you would consistently roll your eyes at my childishness. Seven years. You can say I'm no longer the girl – or should I say child? – you met. You'll regret not kissing me more, I bet! (I'm only kidding).

How've you been, Syaoran? Life in New York isn't how I'd imagined it to be. The day I kissed you, for the perfect photograph for the competition – I realised I had to leave. New York was sort of like a…journey of independence for me. I realised how narrow the things I was exposed to were. I wanted to see more… but ultimately…despite all those excuses…I left…Because I fell in love with you.

Did you know, Syaoran, I fell in love with you the moment you told me that it was impossible to cross from that crossing? The way you hesitated, the way you smiled. The way you took the picture of me…

I never told you the result of the competition did I? It won the award – it's displayed in my exhibition! Come to see it, if you have time, ok?

You know…all these years, I've been wondering…did you feel…anything…anything at all in that kiss?

From Sakura with love.

Oh Sakura…

…

End of chapter two

Writing up chapter three as we speak here.