The Wedding Planner's Romance
By. Yuuna Miyako
PAIRING**E x T
GENRE** Romance, AU
SUMMARY** Tomoyo Daidouji is an ever cheerful wedding planner but she isn't married herself. What will happen if her handsome, enigmatic childhood friend, Eriol Hiiragizawa suddenly asks her to plan his own wedding for him?
AUTHORS NOTE**This is Chapter 3! Sorry for the quite late update—I was quite busy because of my brother's graduation. And I'm also re-writing the latest chapter of Cressendo—so if you're tailing that story too, please watch for the better version of that chapter. I'll happily introduce Kinomoto Touya in the story's cast list! Drama and realizations are sprinkled in this chapter. I hope you enjoy!~
**I just noticed this is the longest chapter I've ever written...
Read and review?
REVIEW CORNER**
KiNoMoTo18 – Eriol isn't cruel, he's just being himself—but yes, Tomoyo is dense.
redeyes143 – An edited version of the chapter is reposted, the theme is generally explained.
mitsuko310 – Of course, more surprises for everyone—there's about 4 more chapters to go~ And for Sakura—her story is another long one to tell.
Saicy – They all have the meaning, finished or see you later ^^~
Akemi-kun – Oh thank you very much!~ Now I'm aware of my mistakes
winterkaguya – Oh yeah—this chappie will give you a small part of what you desire.
Annonymous Amethyst – Aww, *patpat* it's just the start…more crying parts are ensured~
Wafflesz – That'll be later—the wedding will be in Eriol's POV~
And thanks to: asga, Winter Ink, cheng, cha
THANKS FOR ALL THE REVIEWS. And because of this, I dedicate this looong chapter to all of you!~
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Chapter 3. That Place**
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"Next stage of wedding planning is the time and location," Tomoyo Daidouji explained as she played with pieces of a jigsaw puzzle that Eriol Hiiragizawa brought over. It was part of their deal in the first place—for every hour, a jigsaw piece is given. Eriol thought Tomoyo deserved more than the measly one jigsaw piece she earned time wise. But she did surrender an important part of her—that secret notebook she carried for years—so Eriol decided to bring five pieces in exchange.
"That's easy," The handsome cerulean haired business man in an ever midnight colored suit quickly said, "How about the church that your parents got married in?"
Eriol recalled the theme he chose two days ago—a theme that consisted with two different wedding themes put together, a harmony of both western and eastern ceremonies. Either way, both weddings were held in a western church with a beautiful scenic view.
"It's not the same anymore," Tomoyo said slowly as she quickly put the pieces together, "The church went through some renovations and the area is more populated than before—it won't have the same effect and the feeling that the theme emits."
Eriol smiled. Just expected from one of the best wedding planners in the city…
He didn't really know why the location really mattered that much but he knew one thing he realized—it won't be as simple as he thought.
After realizing this, Eriol stood up, "Looks like this will take much time than I thought."
"Huh?"
"There are hundreds of churches in Japan, how could we decide on one?" Eriol asked, "And most importantly how could we decide one now?"
"It's highly impossible."
"Exactly," Eriol smiled, "I can't stay very long since I have to be back in my office soon enough. My lunch break can't cover this. How about another day?"
"Sure," Tomoyo nodded.
"Tomoyo, are you free tomorrow?" Eriol asked.
"Tomorrow?" Tomoyo echoed, "Tomorrow is Saturday—"
"Exactly. Let's have a church hunt tomorrow, bring Sakura with you if you wish to."
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"Scenic churches?" Sakura Kinomoto asked Tomoyo as she laid some files down the lavender haired beauty's desk, "And we're going to search for a perfect one tomorrow?"
"Yeah, Eriol said he wanted both of us to accompany him," Tomoyo said slowly, "But is it really possible for us to find a church and moreover to reserve it?"
Sakura and Tomoyo thought deeply in silence, both brilliant minds working together for a common cause.
"Ne, Tomoyo-chan—"
"Sakura, I think—"
Emerald orbs met with thoughtful amethyst ones, both shining with a certain idea in mind.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Tomoyo asked, a small smile forming in her lips.
"Touya." Both ladies said in complete unison. Then a chorus of giggles broke between them.
Kinomoto Touya is not only known as the overprotective older brother of Sakura but is also famous in Japan as the 'Architect of the Ages'. Touya usually gets renovating projects—most commonly old and aged structures—and strengthen their foundations so these masterpieces could still last for a couple of decades. What is amazing about his work is that he manages to keep the antique feeling and style of each of his projects, which made him famous. Not only that, he also works in futuristic looking structures—a master both in the past and in the future.
Tomoyo met Touya exactly when she met Sakura. It didn't take long till Touya managed to trust Tomoyo and soon they became great friends.
"I'll call Onii-san then," Sakura said excitedly, "Eriol and Onii-san didn't have much time to get to know each other that well."
"Touya already graduated that's why," Tomoyo reminded her, "And Hi-kun was always busy."
"Tomorrow is just perfect, I hope they get along!" Sakura said as she swiftly dialed her brother's phone number.
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The Corona Architectural Designs office was located in one of the eye catching structures in metropolitan Tokyo. Among the modern looking buildings, that certain building stood out since it looked like it stepped out in a Star Wars episode. It was a beautiful Saturday morning, and yet the architecture office was busy as ever.
A tall, good looking countenance took in charge of that office, his chocolate colored hair quite messy because of the urgency in the office. No doubt, that person was the one and only Kinomoto Touya.
"Touya," His secretary and right hand man, Yukito Tsukishiro entered his office, "Looks like Sakura-chan and her party has arrived."
Touya nodded, "Let them—"
"Onii-chan!" Sakura's head popped out the door, "Good afternoon!"
Sakura's sudden outburst startled the ever calm director, causing him to accidentally make a mistake on what he was writing awhile ago.
"How many times should I tell you not to invite yourself in?" Touya looked at her in a scolding manner.
"But we're just about to say 'Let them in' right?" Sakura pouted, "Onii-chan, just get used to it, besides I've been doing the same thing ever since who knows who."
"Sorry for the sudden visit," A melodic voice rang in Touya's ears, "Good afternoon, Touya."
Touya raised one of his hands, "Yo." He said simply, "Looks like you're doing well, Tomoyo."
"As always," Tomoyo smiled, "By the way, have you done all the research for us?" In an instant, Tomoyo headed towards Touya as the man took out a thick stack of papers and laid it on his desk. Both didn't hesitate to start a friendly conversation about the material in front of them. Tomoyo worked with Touya many times—Tomoyo asks for his opinion when it comes to wedding locations while Touya wants Tomoyo's piece of mind when it comes to design.
Sakura in the other hand sat in one of the comfortable leather chairs that were close to the doors of the office. The golden haired beauty watched them amusingly as she leaned back and relaxed. Yukito silently excused himself, walking in the small office kitchen to prepare something to drink. It didn't take long till the door creaked open—
"Hi, Hiiragizawa-kun wel—"
"Ouch," Tomoyo flinched, "Papercut." The lavender beauty intently watched her bleeding pointer finger and then glanced at the slightly blood stained architectural design.
"Touya, I'm so sorry I—"
"No it's no problem," Touya insisted, "Let me see that finger of yours." He said firmly as he grabbed a hold of her porcelain looking hand with a quite deep, bloody paper cut in one of her fingers. Yukito, sensing the problem, quickly ran back to get the first aid kit.
"This is nothing," Tomoyo said assumingly, Touya still holding her hand, "It's a mere cut, I won't die."
Touya suddenly pulled her hand up and slightly kissed the wound. The result of this action was a crimson red Tomoyo Daidouji, a Sakura Kinomoto who had her mouth slightly open, a super smiley Yukito Tsukishiro and an absolute intense Eriol Hiiragizawa who just entered in the right time to witness the whole scene.
"Onii-san, you idiot!" Sakura said as she quickly stood up, "What do you think you're doing?"
"Making the wound feel better," Touya said simply, "Right Tomoyo?"
"I-I…" Tomoyo was still rendered speechless about the series of sudden events. It came by so fast it took time till Tomoyo had it registered in her brain.
Someone cleared their throat, causing everyone to turn to that direction. Eriol Hiiragizawa let out a smile, but somehow there's some other force behind it causing someone to shiver, "Good afternoon."
"So you're Hiiragizawa Eriol," Touya eyed him closely, "I've heard much about you."
"Oh, same here," Eriol stepped closer and let his hand out for a handshake. Without any hesitation, Touya gripped his hand and both shared a firm handshake. That action alone caused a sudden shift in the atmosphere of the room. A tense and conflicting feeling loomed in the air. Both Sakura and Tomoyo glanced at each other, with the same message in their thoughts.
This is not happening…
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"So you're finding a location for your wedding?" Touya asked professionally. Even though the whole group shifted to the conference room, the intense atmosphere lingered. Happily for Tomoyo and Sakura, it toned down a little when the subject of the wedding location was brought up.
"Yes," Eriol replied ever so professionally too.
"We need a church that has a great scenic view, something that will retain that same feeling…" Tomoyo laid the planned theme down the table which is professionally written and composed in a wedding planning folder.
"I understand," Touya nodded.
Sakura just kept quiet, glancing from the three faces—to Tomoyo, Touya and then Eriol. She decided to just watch, waiting for something interesting to happen. Sakura can't help but let out a smile. She wished she had a camera right there and then to capture Eriol's expression a couple of minutes ago. Sakura swore she saw a hint of jealousy and shock in Eriol's face in that second.
"There is a place but it isn't a church." Touya laid a couple of pictures down of a beautiful glassed structure that was firmly planted on a lake.
"The lake house**—" Tomoyo said slowly, "Touya…"
**COPYRIGHT: The lake house idea isn't mine, but was taken in as an idea from the movie, The Lake House. I give the credentials to those who actually thought of it—It's soo pretty.
"I didn't get to tell you, but it's completed." Touya let out a small smile.
Tomoyo remembered very clearly. Touya went to her for some help one day. He wanted to challenge himself, taking a little rest from renovating but actually designing and building a structure for himself. Tomoyo thought about it and gave him her idea—a glass house by the lake.
But he told her it was impossible. Now Tomoyo can't help but tear as she saw actual pictures of the lake house she suggested.
"I-I didn't know…" Tomoyo said slowly, "You did it Touya—I'm proud of you."
Eriol knew inside of him, that time—he just lost. He liked the structure very much, and he knew it was the perfect place for the wedding.
"This place," Eriol said slowly, "I'll happily use it for my wedding."
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A black Jaguar stopped in front of the Touya's beloved lake house. It was more beautiful than it looks in the pictures.
"I can't believe he really built it." Tomoyo said in a whispered tone as she jumped out Eriol's car towards the glassed structure that evening, "It's beautiful isn't it Hi-kun?"
Touya gave Eriol and Tomoyo the address of the building after their visit that afternoon. But since Tomoyo wanted to see it so badly, Eriol succumbed to her wishes and drove to the location. Eriol slowly stepped out his car, enjoying the cool evening breeze. The stars were twinkling ever so brightly and the full moon looked down at them—it was a perfect night, in the perfect place.
Eriol smiled at her, "It is beautiful—and you are too."
Tomoyo's eyes widened at his words, "T-thanks." Her heart skips a beat.
"Hey Tomoyo," Eriol said softly, "Can I borrow your hand a minute?"
"Huh?"
Without waiting for her permission, Eriol swiftly held the same hand that Touya took and kissed the same finger Touya kissed. Tomoyo felt her heart skip another beat. Was it normal to feel this way? Tomoyo silenced her inner voice and shook the thought off.
"Hi-kun?"
"I'll make you proud of me one day," Eriol said huskily, "Soon enough…" He added in a very soft voice.
Tomoyo smiled angelically under the moonlight, "You will—after you ensure your happiness Hi-kun. I'll be very, very happy."
Tomoyo meant it in the very depths of her heart—but why does her heart sting? Didn't she want Eriol's happiness? A twitch of pain came once more causing her body to grow a little cold. She looked down the ground, trying to find the reason why she was feeling like this.
Why does she feel she doesn't want him to be someone else's? Was she just over possessing him? Or was she jealous?
"Tomoyo, are you okay?" Eriol asked, as he touched her shoulders, "Tomoyo, look at me…"
She sniffled in reply, "I'm okay—It's just…see? I'm happy."
Tomoyo finally looked up, revealing a tear strained, moon kissed, fragile expression in her face. She forced a soft smile on her face, wishing the man next to her would stop worrying already; his worry is burdening guilt in her heart. Why?
"Tomoyo you're crying."
Oh no, she didn't—she can't possibly...but she does. And she just realized it now.
"I'm not—"She insisted, "I'm so happy for you I'm crying—"
Oh god, why?
"Thanks," Eriol smiled as he enveloped her into a warm embrace.
This embrace just threatened the very core—the line of friendship between them. Tomoyo knew, even though it wasn't inside Eriol, it was no doubt inside her. Oh, she loved him. Not the friendly love that she and Sakura shared, and not the brotherly love she and Touya have. It was most definitely wasn't the platonic love and affection she thought it was. It's a deeper love…
…and it scared her.
She realized that very evening how much she lied to herself in years. But why, from all the years that she could have known, why now? Why now that he's about to get married? Pain numbed her as she cried her heart out silently.
It was just too late.
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終わった
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Next Chapter excerpts**
"He loves me, he loves me not…"