Disclaimer : I don't own CCS. CCS is owned by CLAMP.
Chapter Dedication : Aoi Itsuki, who's been very patient with my never-ending run-on sentences and other mistakes. Glad to have you as my beta! ^^
Thank You for reviewing the 7th chapter: skybluescramble, Midnight Ghost, chainedheart999,tomoyo-amethyst, Malu Daidoji, Shenhui, Shanaa12, Nils, James Birdsong, Death101 – Fox Version, animefan88tv, cheng, bshinigamy, krissy, SnowCharms. Actually I found several guesses from the reviewers of the 7th chapter which suggest something that is even better than my original plot. Haha. Sadly, since I have written the whole plot until the end, changing that certain little detail would mean changing the entire story, but some of your guesses are really good! ^^
Summary : Once upon a time, with a Cursed Man and the soon-to-be Cursed Woman. Set 9 years post CCS series.
The Misfortunate Tale: Beauty and the Beast (Not)
:: Chapter 8 : :
The Curse
It happened fast –she couldn't even remember any details of how, what, when, or where everything had occurred. But after she received the call from an unknown man informing that her cousin had been in a hit-and-run accident, Tomoyo rushed as fast as she could to Tomoeda General Hospital with Eriol following behind her.
"How is she?! Is she alright? What happened actually?!" she demanded at Meiling, who was the first comrade Tomoyo met in the hospital.
"Easy, Tomoyo. She's fine, she's fine. She broke her left leg, but the doctors said that it had been taken care of," the red-eyed girl explained as she tried to calm the other woman. "She's in Room 217 if you want to see her."
"Thank you," Tomoyo muttered quickly as she dashed to the referred room. It was rather easy to find the room –thanks to Touya and Yukito, who stood in front of the door. Opening the door hastily, she found the auburn-haired woman on the bed. Other than her fully bandaged left leg, Sakura generally looked alright. But that didn't settle the uneasiness in the heiress' mind.
A soft smile and a cheerful voice were what Tomoyo needed to chase away her doubts.
And Sakura finally gave them.
"I'm fine, Tomoyo-chan."
Tomoyo approached the bed and sat carefully on the small chair –her slightly shaking hand reaching out to touch Sakura's uninjured arm. With the upmost care, she touched it as if touching fragile china. "Are you sure?"
"Yes!" Sakura beamed. "A kind and brave man saved me. He had pulled me before the car could crash my entire body. I am very lucky that I only broke my left leg. I suppose that he was the one who called you. Your name is on the top list of my last-dialed call and –"
She tried to momentarily stop Sakura from talking. "But, Sakura –"
"Tomoyo-chan, I'm alright. Really, I'm fine. You shouldn't worry, okay?"
"But –"
Sakura's green eyes warned her playfully. "Okay?"
The Daidouji gazed at Syaoran –who was currently standing near the window – and wordlessly asked his opinion. His amber eyes had shown slight concern but he affirmatively gave Tomoyo the reassuring nod she needed. Finally, Tomoyo released a relieved sigh and cast a soft smile. "But you still need to take care of your own body, alright?"
"Will do, Tomoyo-chan." The Cherry Blossom grinned.
The raven-haired girl talked to her cousin for a while afterwards. The whole Sakura's accident thing made Tomoyo temporarily forget that she originally had company. Although she wasn't paying much attention back then, she presumed that Eriol had followed her to the hospital. But during the 30 minutes she spent talking to Sakura, the blue-eyed guy never showed himself into Sakura's room. Tomoyo silently wondered why, but she later concluded that maybe Eriol just didn't want to interrupt or he would just visit Sakura the day after or whatsoever.
As a result, without any worries, Tomoyo contributed more of her time taking care of Sakura. She accompanied her when Syaoran went home to pick up some clothes (she guessed he would be sleeping over the hospital thas night), helped the injured girl when she needed simple assistance, kept her amused, and the moment when Tomoyo finally looked at her wristwatch, she had spent whole 2 hours taking care of Sakura.
"Just go home, Tomoyo-chan. I'm alright. Syaoran's already here too, don't worry," Sakura spoke as gently touching Tomoyo's hand. The violet-eyed woman would never complain spending time with Sakura, but she reminded herself that it was probably time for Sakura and Syaoran to be all by themselves. With that thought in mind, she finally agreed to leave her dear cousin.
It was 8 PM when she walked past the Hospital Waiting Area and discovered that Hiiragizawa Eriol was still there.
The guy just sat in a rather slumped and careless manner on the chair. He set his gaze off to the distance –it was like his soul wasn't there with the fewer amounts of people in the hospital at such time, combined with the natural creep of a hospital in night, and even furthermore complemented by his innate aura of magic, the Londoner almost looked like a ghost. Tomoyo was doubtful of his appearance at first, but finally decided to give him a light pat on his shoulder. "You're still here?"
He nodded silently and she seated herself slowly on the chair next to him. Noticing his unusual silence, she questioned him again, "If you're still here, why didn't you come and visit Sakura?"
To this question, Eriol just slowly shook his head. "I can't face her."
"Why? Sakura will be glad to see you there and –"
"It was my fault," he cut her words. "The accident, it was my fault. It was my curse. I kissed you and we interacted romantically, in consequence, you had bad luck. Your bad luck was having Sakura's injured. Thus, it's my fault."
Tomoyo blinked and chuckled uneasily. "It's not really like you to be suddenly so… introspective," she commented. "But you're wrong. Your curse didn't cause Sakura's accident. It was a coincidence. Sakura's accident has nothing to do with your curse. You really shouldn't blame yourself."
Eriol snorted and cast the familiar chant to make the symbolic hourglass appeared. She was surprised at his lack of care for doing magic in public place –but fortunately, there was no one around. He shoved the hourglass to her so that she could examine it. She could see that the amount of sand in the top glass and bottom glass were approximately the same. She couldn't deny the fact the last time he had showed her the hourglass, the top glass had been much fuller than the bottom one. It was obvious what he wanted to show her: that the sand had fallen down to the bottom glass was proof of his working curse on Sakura's accident. But to this, she had to disagree at his thought. "It's just a coincidence, Hiiragizawa-san. You don't know for sure whether these sand granules have fallen down because of Sakura's accident or not."
"With my magic, I counted each granules of sand, Daidouji-san. Thus, I know whether a bad event is caused by my Curse or not," he replied gloomily. "And I know. Sakura's here because of me." He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist tight. "It's the damned Curse, Daidouji-san! It's the damned Curse!" Eriol yelled.
"Hiiragizawa-san, it's not your fault! What is it with you? It's not your usual –"
"I've hurt Sakura! It's my curse! I'm cursed! And I create all these –"
"Hiiragizawa-san, listen!" Tomoyo tried to gain his attention. Never before had she seen the usually composed man to be this panicked. "You didn't create all of these! Your curse isn't your doing! You don't intend any of this. I know you're a good man. D-don't blame yourself…" she trailed off.
And for the first time since Hiiragizawa Eriol came to her asking for help, she realized how miserable this man had been.
To accept and to live with a curse because of a sin he had never literally committed, to lose a chance of love just because of it, to force himself being the antagonist, to endure the pain of hurting other people, while she knew –she was sure – that he had never truly intended to hurt a single soul… He endured the curse, he endured the pain. And he faced his destiny; he still bravely bore the responsibility…
Tomoyo had seen him as a heartless, insensitive jerk who carelessly set other people in danger. But then… she realized that he might just be the one who was hurt the most.
…
His fist clenched tightly, so tight, that blood started to make a fine trail on his pale arm.
She saw this, and instinctively tried to stop him, holding his hand "Hiiragizawa-san, it's –"
"DON'T TOUCH ME!"
His harsh comment startled her and she immediately drew her hands back. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"
If Tomoyo hadn't embarrassedly looked down, she would have seen the immediate regret and guilt on those sapphire eyes.
And foremost, she would have witnessed the man so filled with self-loathing. An image that was too pitiful to see, really.
But she didn't see any of those. All she felt was his abrupt standing and his angry footsteps walking away–leaving her by her own, with a heart mourning for the man's misery.
She decided to leave the hospital only several moments after Eriol departed. Tomoyo presumed that Eriol wouldn't choose to come back to the Daidouji Manor that night and she guessed right. Perhaps he was going to his old manor or just walking without direction –she wasn't sure. She knew the high possibility of him not coming back, yet the girl somehow couldn't stop her urge to wait. His outburst at the hospital an hour ago was something that was so unlikely of him to do. She knew that he had refused her help –refused to listen to her, in fact – but she couldn't just leave that guy alone.
So, Tomoyo decided to wait.
She assumed that she had fallen asleep while waiting for him, because the next moment she fluttered her eyes open, she was already in her own room under her warm blanket. She gazed at the wall on her left, to check the time on the clock hanging on the wall. It was 7.30 AM. Her class that day would begin at 10.00 AM. She still had plenty of time, but she knew that she had things to do first, like checking on Eriol's condition and –
How surprised she was when she looked towards her right and saw the blue-eyed sorcerer sitting on the chair next to her bed. His calm eyes were set on her and such intensity made her blush. Oh, not so early in the morning…
"Hey. Morning," he greeted with a soft smile.
"…Morning," she replied just as unsure. "…Were you the one who brought me to bed last night?"
Eriol gave a curt nod and stared at her before posing his question, "When you overslept in the couch last night, were you waiting for me?"
Tomoyo really didn't want to answer the truth, because she knew that it would make things more uncomfortable around them. But her mouth spoke in spontaneous reply and affirmed his guess. He sighed at her answer and muttered the reply, "I'm sorry I didn't inform you that I would be coming home late last night. And I apologize too, for treating you harshly in the hospital. I was… too emotional back then, but after speaking with Kaho, now I regain my composure back and –"
"Mizuki-san?" she interrupted.
The Londoner paused for several seconds before continuing his talk. "Yes… I… came to see her last night."
There was a sudden fierce grip on her heart. Tomoyo wasn't that innocent, and thus, she immediately knew what kind of filthy feeling it was.
Jealousy.
Eriol chose to meet Kaho. He chose her. And Kaho was the only one who could calm his mind, the one whom he trusted enough.
Mizuki Kaho.
Not her, not Daidouji Tomoyo.
…
…
But then again, who was Daidouji Tomoyo in Hiiragizawa Eriol's life anyway?
No one.
She was just someone charitable enough to help him, while in exchange, he helped her put up the act as her boyfriend to please her mother. Or in other words, their relationship was strictly business. Impersonal.
She was nothing to Eriol.
But Mizuki Kaho, she was everything to him.
And the knowledge of possessing such feeling tortured her.
Eriol suddenly spoke, breaking her trains of thought. "I'm sorry."
"Why do you apologize?" she asked warily, afraid that the Sorcerer could really see that nasty part of jealousy inside of her.
"I should have informed you earlier. And I apologize for treating you badly last night, and –"
"You've apologized before. And it's alright," Tomoyo cut his words softly. "I understand. It's just that…are you really alright?"
To this little inquiry, he provided her a cheeky grin.
…
She didn't like it.
It was his usual habit to hide things again. And this time, she presumed, it was something that neither she nor Kaho could solve. The complexity of Hiiragizawa Eriol… it was something that she supposed would always remain a mystery. And if even Kaho couldn't break this, what could Tomoyo –"the no-one in his life" – do? Sure, she cared for him –he was such a dear friend – but she realized that whatever that she might be feeling to him was one-sided. Non-reciprocal.
And again, she was… nothing to him.
…
Could she protest that?
…
No, she knew she couldn't.
She had no right to.
She didn't even have the right to inquire what was behind that fake grin of his.
So, if Hiiragizawa Eriol refused to show her his true side, she wouldn't –and couldn't – force him to.
To go along with his play and his intentions –those were what were left for her to do. If her role in his life was only to present an approving smile…
Then a smile he would have.
"You should just go and visit Sakura," Tomoyo finally spoke –deciding that it was better to draw their attentions away from the lurking trouble. "She would really appreciate it."
"Yes." He nodded. "I'm planning to go visit her this afternoon. Are you coming too?"
"Unfortunately I still have class until 3 PM." She shrugged. "I'll visit her later in the evening, though."
"Good. See you later, then."
"Yes." She softly smiled. "See you later."
What else could she do but to smile, again?
The day passed rather statically to Tomoyo. She had finished her class at precisely 3 PM; she had also done all her assignments due next week (and some, 2 weeks after); and when she checked her planner she found out that all tasks that day had been perfectly executed. Strangely, for the first time since she last remembered, she wished that there would be anything out of ordinary, anything that (Eriol would probably be shocked upon hearing this…) was out of her boring daily plan.
Well…
If there was anything out of ordinary to her that day (so far), it was the lunch she had shared with Araide Kaze.
It had gone well and was pretty , after all, was a good friend whom she had known for quite some time. Tomoyo couldn't say that she was completely comfortable with Kaze (there were still several things in their relationship that undoubtedly created awkward moments), however, he was still a good friend and that was what mattered the most.
But apparently, Kaze chose that certain day to break a thing or two.
At lunch time, she was drinking her orange juice when he suddenly blurted out.
"I think I like you."
It had taken her great control not to burst out the orange juice she was drinking.
"Pardon?" Tomoyo had questioned, flabbergasted.
Kaze sighed. "I like you. I-I think I always have. I just… didn't have the courage until now to confess it to you,"
Tomoyo gazed at the brown-haired guy for a while. His confession had truthfully flattered her. Although she was a woman gifted with natural charm, most guys didn't have the exact courage to fall in love with her due to their lack of confidence. And it appeared to be Kaze Araide –the nervous guy – had the guts to confess to her.
But although she deeply appreciated his feeling, she knew she couldn't return his feeling back.
"Why?" he had replied slowly to her rejection. "Is it because what happened in the past? When our relationship didn't work well back then because I… I left you for my teacher?"
"No, I… never think much of it anyway."
"Then why?"
The answer was obvious, and yet was still as stinging. "Because I only see you as a friend. A very good friend, Kaze. But not more than that," Tomoyo replied. And when she noticed that he was devoid of any reaction, she added reluctantly, "And because I'm in a relationship with someone else. I'm Eriol's girlfriend right now."
The look on Kaze's face had been a surprised one and she assumed that he had temporarily forgotten her status as someone else's 'girlfriend'. Looking at his suddenly embarrassed face, Tomoyo felt sorry for having to lie to such an honest boy about her fake relationship with Eriol. But perhaps, just like how Eriol had to play the role as a villain, she would sometimes need to be a liar for a better reason.
He smiled cheekily, saying that it was alright and apologizing for such an inconsiderate confession. This had made Tomoyo felt even guiltier, but she tried to shrug the feeling off. Fortunately, after that Kaze decided to talk about something else. Although it was awkward beyond thought, she deeply appreciated his attempt.
5 days later, Sakura finally had the doctors' permission to let her go home. The Cherry Blossom was very glad that she could be at her own comfortable residence, and foremost, be freed from the cold hospital foods and lonely nights in such a haughty room.
"But remember what the doctors said, Sakura. You still need to take care of your leg and visit them regularly every month to check up," Tomoyo reprimanded as she helped the girl stepped out of her car and walked towards the Kinomoto house. With one hand on her crutch and another hand on Syaoran's shoulder, Sakura tried to bring herself inside her own home. The nurses back in the hospital had taught her how to walk in crutch, and Sakura was getting used to the tool. She only had problems when she had to go upstairs, but with both Syaoran and Tomoyo's help, she could finally reach her room. Inside the room, Kero was secretly glad. The creature hadn't been able to visit his Mistress in hospital and although Kero feigned it with his usual humor, Tomoyo could see how much the guardian had missed Sakura.
Since Sakura was in a clear need to rest, Tomoyo didn't spend much time in the Kinomoto residence. After making sure that the cinnamon-haired girl was fully accommodated, Tomoyo bid farewell to her cousin, Syaoran, and Kero. Starting the engine of her car, Tomoyo then drove away on the vacant street of Tomoeda. She didn't have any class that day but she wasn't really in the mood to go home. Eriol had told her earlier in the morning that he would need to take care of several things concerning his business in London. When she had asked him whether he would go abroad to London, he had replied that he would just be supervising his business from Tomoeda.
She remembered how relieved she had been upon hearing his answer.
And since it was a fine day, Tomoyo decided to spend the late afternoon in one of the outdoors café in Tomoeda. She chose her usual spot outdoors of her favorite café, ordered the green tea latte, and darted her violet eyes to casually enjoy the passing people in the street. The action had been random, but her eyes were transfixed on a familiar figure.
"Mizuki-san, good afternoon," she greeted the elegant woman who coincidentally walked pass the café.
Mizuki Kaho's eyes lit up upon recognizing the younger woman. She smiled, waved back as she entered the café, and went to the outdoor area where Tomoyo currently pointed to the vacant seat in front of Tomoyo and asked, "May I?"
"Of course, Mizuki-san." Tomoyo nodded and gazed at the beautiful must admit, that despite the probability of jealousy inside her heart, Mizuki Kaho was indeed a very lovable full-heartedly didn't question how Eriol could fall in love with this woman, even though her heart wrenched upon realizing this.
Kaho obliged and smiled. She took a look at the menu, ordered Darjeeling tea for herself, and brought her attention back to the Nightingale. "I heard Sakura's out of the hospital today. How's she?"
"You know Sakura, Mizuki-san."
"Just Kaho is fine."
"Ah." She paused before simply grinned. "But it's still weird calling you 'Kaho'."
"You'll get used to it someday." Kaho smiled warmly. "And yes. Sakura. I imagine that the girl can overcome all the obstacles facing her."
Tomoyo smiled with the same pride as a mother would when talking about her most treasured daughter. It was weird and queer in a way, but then again, Sakura was one of the dearest people to her heart. "Yes. The doctors originally said that Sakura's injury was a lot worse than it seemed. But Sakura's optimism helped her to recover faster. Yukito said Yue told him that it was probably because of the special body immunity she possessed as a powerful Sorceress, but I personally think Sakura's faith contributes too."
"I agree," Kaho said and she paused to thank the waiter for bringing her the ordered tea. "By the way, how's Eriol doing?"
"He's fine. He said this morning that he would need to take care of his business first though."
"He's going back to London?"
"No. He said that he could control it from here. He admitted that he hadn't been paying much attention to the business ever since he arrived here."
Kaho smiled before taking the first sip of her tea. She let several moments pass in a somewhat comfortable silence before Tomoyo spoke again.
"I want to thank you, Mizuki-san."
"Hm? What for?"
"...For calming Hiiragizawa-san. A few days ago, he blamed himself for Sakura's accident. But he is alright now, after talking to you."
"Oh, that," Kaho said as propping her chin on her hand. "It's nothing, really. He was just a little emotional. Eventually, he calmed down. I didn't do much, truthfully."
But it still doesn't cease the fact that he chose to share his problem to her, not me…
Kaho suddenly chuckled, and Tomoyo being aware of this, just hoped that her feelings hadn't been blatantly shown on her face (She certainly hoped she hadn't spoken her thoughts out loud). But her fear could somehow be true, for the red-haired lady later added, "He just didn't want to make you worry, you know."
The Plum Blossom shook her head in refusal. "No. He just didn't trust me enough."
"For an incarnation of a wise Sorcerer, Eriol surely does stupid things sometimes." Kaho grinned. "And actually, the one who should say 'thank you' is me, Tomoyo."
"…Why should you?"
"You affect him in a way or two. In a good way, of course." The priestess paused to sip more of her tea. "Observing the way he reacted at Sakura's incident, it was different. Sure, he loves Sakura and he wouldn't harm her on purpose. But still, I think he has a different reaction now concerning his was more selfish and ignorant back then. I am actually surprised to see that he is beginning to look at other women or other people in a more thoughtful insight. I suppose, it's because of you. He spends time with you and learns a lot from you."
"I don't do anything," Tomoyo muttered as cast her gaze away. "He's just a naturally good man. I don't do anything about that."
Kaho smiled in satisfaction. "Now I can see why Eriol chose you to help him erase the Curse. Your gentle heart has no match. At first, I disagreed to Eriol's choice to pick you as the 'victim' for his Curse. I thought you couldn't handle it. But I was wrong. You are stronger than I originally presumed. And you have such a big heart. I'm not sure if any other woman can do what you do. Even Iam not sure whether I can do what you do."
Tomoyo laughed slowly. "You mean to bear all those bad luck? Yes, quite an idiot I am."
"That and for having the courage to sacrifice your own heart. That's a strength not any woman can possess."
Her laugh ceased as she found a hole in Kaho's sayings.
Something that she hadn't yet known.
And something, that perhaps, was better left unknown.
Eriol let out a tired sigh upon entering the Daidouji Manor where he currently resided. The problem with his pastry business in England had worn his mind out, but he was glad that the misunderstanding between the company and the product supplier was already solved. It was partially his own mistake for not paying much attention to his business ever since he set foot on Tomoeda. Luckily, all things were back to normal and he could entrust the company temporarily back to his right man in London.
The Daidouji Manor, he noticed, was always bright even at such an was 11.40 PM, and he was sure that all maids and other residents in the manor had gone to sleep, yet the lamps were still turned on. He reminded himself to warn Tomoyo about this electricity waste next morning. Walking upstairs to the guest room, he went past Tomoyo's room and unconsciously tiptoed. The girl was probably asleep (he read it on her daily planner: sleep before 11.00 PM at weekdays) and he didn't want to create any single noise to wake her up.
But apparently, he didn't have to do all the silent the bright light of those wall lamps in Daidouji Mansion, he could see her pale form sitting on the floor next to his room's door. In a hurry, he approached the girl and spoke. "What are you doing here? You should be in your bed, resting."
Her face looked up and he saw determination in those violet eyes. Tomoyo sighed before helping herself to stand and spoke to Eriol. "I need to talk to you."
"Can't it wait until tomorrow morning?" He sighed in annoyance –not because he thought her to be a nuisance, but because, he really believed that she needed proper rest now. She looked too pale and unhealthy and –
"No," she replied.
Eriol sighed again before opening the door to his room. "Come in." He invited her and watched as the girl stepped inside the room. Eriol couldn't help but to notice that Tomoyo was a girl whose grace always adorned her being. Even the way she stepped inside a room was graceful and it amazed him. He led her to two facing chairs and offered her the seat. Tomoyo sat and he followed her suit afterwards. "What is it? It must be an important thing that you –"
"I want you to tell me things, Hiiragizawa Eriol-san."
The coldness in the tone of her voice wasn't unnoticeable. To comprehend her sudden change of behavior, he questioned her, "Tell you what?"
"Everything that I must know," she calmly spoke. "Everything you have hidden from me."
Eriol was taken a back, and despite himself, he still found the courage to cover things. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Is there any part of the Curse that you haven't told me about?"
"Daidouji-san –"
"Is it true, that you are using me?"
"… If what you mean with 'using' is to make you endure all those bad luck, then it's –"
"There's something more than that, right? You haven't told me the whole truth."
He was silenced.
"Is it true…" Tomoyo began again, her voice in the middle of breaking and fading. "… that you need to make me fall in love with you in order to erase the Curse?"
Damn.
"Daidouji-san…"
"Why didn't you tell me before?"
"How do you –"
"Mizuki-san told me by accident. Don't blame her, though. Apparently you lied to her too, didn't you? You told her that you have told me about this little detail, while in fact, you have never told me anything about it!"
"Daidouji-san –"
"Let me guess your plan, Hiiragizawa-san." She continued mercilessly. "You planned to make me fall in love with you to erase the Curse. You didn't tell me this on purpose, because you knew that I would immediately refuse. You pretended to be nice, you pretended that you cared, you wanted me to fall in love with you, and then after the Curse is lifted, you would irresponsibly ditch the feeling inside of me that you have created and left me as a good for nothing."
"Daidouji-san, please –"
"I still can accept your original bargain when you said that our partnership would bring bad luck towards me, I still can accept that! But you tricked me."
"Daidouji-san, I tried to –"
"You tricked me and you are just using me to fulfill your own selfish desire."
"Daidouji-san, listen to me!" he shouted.
She wasn't afraid and challenged him back. "Fine. What other explanations do you have?"
"I wanted to tell you! B-back then in the amusement park, after the Ferris wheel ride, I wanted to tell you! But then Sakura had an accident and our attentions were averted. And afterwards, I cannot find the right time to –"
"How many lies you've said to me?"
"It isn't a lie!"
Her violet gaze stabbed him. "Is that so? And do you mind telling me your original plan?" she muttered coldly.
He clenched his fist in frustration. Guilt approached him, and he found it hard to speak, hard to reveal the the end though, he knew he didn't have any other choice. "At first, I admitted, I tried to make you fall in love with me. My first plan was…that once you've fallen in love with me, the Curse would disappear. Then… I can be with Kaho happily…" he replied gloomily. Upon saying this, he realized how filthy he was –how selfish he was. The feeling drove him to hate himself more and more.
She almost snorted at his confession and unintentionally recalled a meaningless conversation they had had couple of weeks ago. He had said that this story of them was similar to Beauty and the Beast, where he would play the role as the Cursed Beast while she would play the role as Belle. She had laughed at such use of analogy, but now she found it bitter to know that perhaps she would be the first 'Belle' who could erase the curse of the Beast, but without having the happy ending the way Belle in the fairytale did. The realization flamed the fire inside her and she spoke again, "So it's true. First you were planning to make me love you, then you would carelessly ditch me, and find your happiness while you left me in my misery?"
"That was what I thought before I knew you better!" he retorted. "I was wrong, I know, and I'm sorry! But as times passed, as I spent times with you, I realize that you are different from any other girl! And I know that I couldn't dare to hurt you and thus…" he paused before resuming his talk again. "I developed new plan."
Tomoyo gazed at the guy uninterestedly. "What kind of plan?"
"…After I make you fall in love with me and be freed from the curse… I planned to erase your memory. With that, you wouldn't need to feel any pain. And thus, the problem would be solved with no one being hurt."
At this, she let out a dark chuckle. "Erasing my memory? That's your plan?"
He felt like the judge had condemned him guilty right away. Ashamed, he replied incoherently. "Yes…"
She eyed him with a certain look that conveyed many feelings: resent, disgust, pity, anger, and the worst of them all, sadness.
He had hurt her.
"Daidouji-san –"
"You've explained enough," she cut him coldly. "I don't want to see you again. I want you out of my house. You can stay for the night, but I don't want to see your face again in the morning," Tomoyo warned as she stood up, indicating that their talk was over. Before closing the door, she paused and added again. "I never imagined that I would confess it like this, but I think you must know. I liked you a lot. And perhaps, if I hadn't found out about your secret plan, your plan would have worked, because I know that I would have eventually fallen in love with you anyway."
You don't.
Don't you dare fall in love with me.
I am the Beast, you can not fall in love with me.
"But of course," Tomoyo continued. "I'm glad I've found out your true nature before I truly fall for you." With that she closed the door to his room.
Inside his room, Eriol was still rooted to his previous spot, not moving.
The old him would have cursed for the backfired plan, but what he currently felt, beside the agony and guilt, was strangely the feeling of relief.
He had hurt her, but he could stop her from hurting herself even more.
Save her from me.
Because Belle should never fall in love with the Beast.
: : To Be Continued : :
A/n : I'm sorry if this chapter is a cliché. I hate cliché, but I'm using it often. T-T. Stupid me… Oh well, hope to see you all in the 9th chapter!