Oh dear oh dear! I have this chapter foe a long time and I'm sorry for not uploading sooner.

This chapter will be about the flashback on the summer when Tomoyo went to England to meet Eriol for the first time after so many years. Enjoy! :D

Disclaimer: I do not own CCS


Chapter 7 The Rainy Summer


From: Tomoyo

To: Eriol

Subject: London Arrival

Dear Eriol,

Finally after almost 2 years of talking and video calls, we will finally meet each other. I believe we haven't seen each other since primary school. It's surreal!

For your information, I will arrive in Heathrow Monday, July 20, 7.55 pm London time. Will you be able to pick me up from the airport? If it is too much trouble for you, I can take the tube to St. Pancras and then I will see from there. I will be staying at St. Regis, London. Until then.

Tomoyo

He called her as soon as he finished reading her email.

"Hello," she answered from the other line.

"My dear, Tomoyo. It's Eriol," he said.

"I know. Did you read my email?"

"Yes, I just did. How are you, Tomoyo?"

"I'm fine. I just get prepared for school. Shouldn't you go to sleep? It's already late there."

"I couldn't hold myself from hearing your voice."

Little did he knew, she smiled and blush crept on her cheeks. "We will meet soon, Eri. And I will always be with you, if you like—"

"Of course, I do. About the email, I can pick you up in the airport. We will take the tube together. Is that okay with you? I promised you I will take you by car but that day there will be no car available."

"Of course, it's okay with me. We can always take the public transportation. I don't mind walking as long as I am with you."

He blushed. "And I am sorry I cannot take you to stay in my parents' house. My parents, I mean my foster parents, sort of mind having a stranger in our house."

"No problem at all. We could go around London if you like. Besides, you can stay with me if you want. No. Just stay with me at the hotel. It'll be easier to go everywhere and you don't have to go back and forth—"

"But, Tomoyo—"

"It's two bedroom suites. Don't worry. I expect to see you at the airport with your suitcase. Okay?"

"Okay."

"You think you can make up a reason to your parents?"

"I don't live with them anyway."

"Then why did you say that they mind?"

"Because I planned to take you to stay in their house since it's quite big compared to my living space now."

"I thought you live in a house."

"Yeah, when I was with Kaho—", oh, how bitter it was for him to recall her name.

"I'm sorry, Eriol."

"It's okay. It's also because of my current living space is quite crowded with Nakuru and Spinel. So a getaway with you might be just what I need." He smiled.

"I'm glad I could help and of course I can't wait to see you."

"And I you."

"I gotta go to school, Eriol. It's last day at school and after that summer holiday. I will see ya in Heathrow. Good night, Eriol!"

"Have fun, Tomoyo. I actually want to ask you to send my regards to Sakura but then she will suspect the nature of our 'relationships'." Tomoyo blushed when he said 'our relationships', since they were not dating or whatsoever. "Call me anytime should you needs my assistance."

"Thank you, Eriol. Bye!"

"Bye." He hanged up the phone.

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Monday, July 20 in London airport…

London Heathrow Terminal 5 was busy as usual due to its massive amount of international flights. According to the arrival board, a flight from Haneda Tokyo airport was half an hour delayed. A bespectacled young man with bluish black hair sighed knowing the flight he expected was delayed. He looked away from the board searching for a place to sit. It usually would take around one hour-ish from the landing time until she gets out of the arrival hall, he thought. He took his duffel bag that he put on the floor when he was checking the board. It was quite heavy with clothes for two weeks, another two pairs of shoes, bath stuff, some books, some homemade snacks, and a gift that he kept for her later. Besides the fully packed duffel bag, a backpack was hanging on his back and it contained a couple books that he had been reading on the tube ride to the airport (and was going to read), a bottle of water, some sandwich that was half finished, some stationary, his wallet, his laptop, all of his charger, a notebook, a mirror-less camera and some other random stuff that might be in anybody bag or purse such as bills, paper clip, a pen and so on. As he walked to the nearby waiting bench where he thought he could strategically see people leaving the arrival hall, he put on again his headphones that were hanging on his neck and resumed playing the music he currently listened. He put down again his duffel bag on the floor in front of the bench and his backpack on the bench where he sat next to it. He took out the book he was reading on the tube ride towards the airport, The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Eriol was a type of guy with an unmoving focus on what he was doing, especially reading. He could not take his eyes off the book even though there was a commotion nearby. And when he put on his headphone, it means he cannot be bothered and time means nothing—unless when he was on the public transportation, he would not put on his headphone, or he would miss his stop.

He was already two third of the book when he got off the tube. Another one-third part finally finished in around 40 minutes time waiting in the airport. He closed his book, took off his headphones and put them in the backpack next to him. He was not aware that someone was sitting on the bench next to his backpack for quite a while, until that person greeted him.

"Hello, Eriol," said that person.

He was startled and then looked up to the source of the melodic voice, "Tomoyo?!" there was a shocked note in his tone. "How long you've been sitting there?"

The young woman he has been waiting for was sitting right next to him without him knowing. She checked her wristwatch, "about 10 minutes."

"Oh, my God! I am so sorry, Tomoyo. I am the one who should wait for you not the other way around—"

"It's okay, Eriol. Really. I was tired also anyway so I sat down for a while. You seemed busy with your book. I was trying to get your attention but your focus is just unmovable."

He blushed out of embarrassment. "This is embarrassing. I should've been more patient waiting for you instead of really reading. Anyway, hello, Tomoyo. It's nice to see you." He stood up in front of her to take her hand and kissed it.

"It's SO nice to see you, too, Eriol." She stood up to hug him and he hugged her back.

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"I fell in love with London," Tomoyo said when they reached the hotel suite.

"Eh?" Eriol asked as he put his backpack on the sofa in the living room. He saw her walking to the balcony and opened the balcony door. The summer breeze blew her hair. She looked flawless in her ethereal beauty.

"It's beautiful and dynamic and I love everything about the city."

He walked to her and stood besides her. "You were in London for only couple hours and you could already make a judgment."

"Let's say, it's love at the first sight." She smiled at him.

He smiled. "Thank you for letting me stay here."

"No. Thank you for agreeing being my guide."

"Anytime, Tomoyo. So where do you wanna go next? The Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Picadilly Circus or maybe you are more interested in Harrods and Selfridges?" he referred to the most visited shopping places in London.

She chuckled. "I am actually kinda hungry. How about we take a stroll in the Thames riverside? Maybe sitting in a café there, catching up with our lives?"

"That's sound perfect," he agreed. "Do you need to freshen up? I am pretty much ready actually."

"No. I already did in the plane before I landed. They have shower there, in fact," she giggled and he followed suit.

"Okay, then. Shall we go?"

"Lead the way, Sir."

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Tomoyo days in London were quite pleasant, with emphasize on 'quite'. Eriol had been such a gentleman by always taking her hand, opening the door for her, making sure she went to bed safely and her mood always lightened up. But the lady expected something more from the gentleman. She expected him to be less-gentleman, in some occasion. Aside from always being together 24/7, she longed for something from him that he only could give her but she could not figure it out. One night after having dinner in the hotel, due to heavy rain that prevented them from having dinner outside, he took her to her room but only until in front of her bedroom door. As usual he gave a kiss on her hand and bade her goodnight. She knew that it was not enough so she held onto his shirt. Confused by her action, he asked her what was wrong. She demanded him to take her to bed at least until she fell asleep. Being a gentleman he was, he cordially refused her request and gave her a peck on her cheek instead. She did not know why she acted that way but his gesture calmed her capricious emotion. And the night ended how it usually did until the following night.

The following day, Tomoyo woke up with a strange feeling. She had a dream, which was not quite pleasant but not quite terrible also. Eriol had been in her dream and someone else was giving him their back as if they were leaving him. Strangely, she felt pity for him but slightly joyous for her. She cursed herself for having such feeling towards him but somehow it felt right. Unfortunately, her dream affected her emotion that day, the last day of her trip in England with Eriol Hiiragizawa.

"Tomoyo—" someone called her name. She stared blankly on her drink. She stood still on the pavement along the Sloane Street. The weather was quite cold from the rain in the morning and the road was quite wet.

"Huh?" she raised her head towards Eriol who apparently already walked few steps away, now walking back towards her.

"Watch out!" he tried to reach her on time but it was too late. A car passed quite fast on the puddle on the road and muddy water splashed quite much on her shoes, clothes and short jackets from her left side.

"Ah! Crap!" she squealed. Few people passed by turned their head with pity look at her but carried on nonetheless.

"Are you okay?" Eriol concerned.

Overwhelmed by her foul mood, sombre sky and unfortunate event, she snapped at him, "Of course not, idiot! I am soaked! Half of my clothes are drenched and even my hair," she grabbed some wet strands of her hair.

"I'm so sorry, Tomoyo," he put out his handkerchief and tried to wipe some water that caught on her face.

"No. I'm so sorry, Eriol. It was my fault. I should have been more focus."

He suddenly hugged her. "It's okay." He had been noticing her foul mood that day. "Let's go." He took her by her hand and dragged her.

"Where are we going?"

"My favourite boutique was just around the corner?"

"What? We were just from Harrods and you are going to shop again?"

He only smiled. He took her with his left hand because his right hand was carrying five big shopping bags. Tomoyo herself carried two smaller shopping bags of Eriol. They agreed upon Eriol bringing her shopping bags if he allowed her to bring his, which was nothing compared to hers.

He was right, two more blocks from the incident place was a flagship store of a brand called William Taylor. The store occupied some of building units. Despite being adjacent to each other in the huge building, each department, such as womenswear, menswear, shoes and bags; had its own address number. The brand was famous for its outerwear, particularly its signature all-season trench coat. The camel coloured trench coat that Eriol wore unbuttoned that day was in fact purchased from that store. He took her to the womenswear section.

"Welcome to William Taylor, can we help you?" a female sales associate (SA) came by.

"Yes, please. My lady here needs a new set of fresh clothing. Could you kindly arrange the private room, please?" Eriol requested. Tomoyo smiled and blushed on how he called her with 'my lady'.

"Right this way, Sir," the SA led them to the private room that luckily was vacant that time. The private room was dedicated for personal shopping activity and can only be used by appointment. "May I see your membership, Sir?" she asked Eriol when he and Tomoyo were seated. He took out his black membership card of the brand from his wallet and showed it to the SA. She nodded and he put it back to his wallet. "Thank you. May I take your coat, Sir, Miss?"

"Sure." He and Tomoyo put off their coat and gave them to the other male SA who waited there.

"What would you like to drink?" the male SA asked when he took their coat.

"Tea and mineral water. Tomoyo?"

"The same," she answered.

"Right away, Miss."

The female SA came to Tomoyo. "Is there any particular pieces you are looking for, Miss? We have the signature pieces and the new arrival in this room," the private was indeed resembled a huge walk in closet with many kinds of clothing for both men and women hanging surrounding the wall. Some full body length mirrors were placed on the wall also in between the hanging clothes. "Then I can find your size for you to try on. If you want you could take your shoes off."

"Thank you." Tomoyo said. She went inside to the fitting room, which only was covered by the heavy curtain, in front of the sofa where Eriol sat. She then came out without her shoes and pantyhose, only on her knee-length floral dress that was tad bit drenched on the hemline. She went looking around the clothing with the SA. Judging by her designer dress, the SA knew well that she was a potential customer—so much for her job.

One of the reason he brought Tomoyo to the boutique because from the prism of experience, he knew that shopping would always lighten her foul mood. And somehow it worked despite her long face. She tried to avoid meeting his gaze when she was browsing or trying some clothes. There was not much excitement when she tried some of the attire compared when they were in the earlier boutiques. Sensing something wrong from her behaviour, he decided to interfere her browsing moment. He stood next to her and held her skilful rack-browsing hand. She was taken aback.

"Tomoyo," he said sternly.

"Yes?" she answered not dare to look at his eyes.

"Come sit down. You've seen enough," he pulled her to sit on the sofa next to him. He took a cup of tea and gave it to her.

"Thank you," she answered shortly. She put a little sugar and stirred her tea soundly like a lady. Her head was still down. She had another idiosyncrasy when it comes to tea and her mind. She would endlessly stir her tea on her mindless state.

"Tomoyo, your tea won't become wine no matter how long you stir it," Eriol teased her.

She was stunned. She faced him with unreadable look. "That's my mother words. How?"

He smirked. "You're so cute when you are confused. Oh, my dear, Tomoyo."

She blushed.

"May I know the reason of your foul mood today?" he asked her directly because he was not risking losing his chance.

"I'm fine, Eriol—"

"My dear, I know when a woman is having a bad day, especially you. Knowing you and spending many days with you I think is sufficient to make judgement over your action. You are not a type of woman who could easily have a bad day. It took the same effort as moving a mountain just to upset you. So please give me a chance to make it right," he offered sincerely.

She did not quite understand whether it was the way he spoke, the way he looked at her on the eyes, his hand that hold hers tight or the fact that it was him, Eriol Hiiragizawa, who offered her his kindness. She was lost there. She remained silent for some moment and when she was about to say something the SA came by to bring her new pairs of shoes.

"Here miss," she said.

"Let me taking them from here. Thank you," Eriol took the shoebox from the SA. "Could you kindly give us some time here, please?," Eriol asked politely.

"Absolutely." The SA excused herself.

He kneeled in front of Tomoyo. "What are you doing, Eriol?" she asked.

He smiled taking her right leg and put on the black oxford shoes that she did not request. "I did not ask for this shoes—" she said.

"I did. I just think it'll suit you." She was a little bit surprised, who knew that Eriol was fashion-conscious. Still, the fact that he touched her leg brought chills to her spine. Luckily, she already wore a new pantyhose, otherwise having him touching her naked legs would be unbearable for her.

He finished tied the shoelaces. She looked at the black oxford shoes with brogues that he chose. It was indeed fit nicely on her, quite masculine but dressy. Then she realized another pair of similar shoes laid on the floor only those were in bigger size and had slight different shape. Those were man shoes. She chucked because she mistakably thought his fashion conscience or just picking his shoes style but for woman.

"What is it?" he asked while putting the other shoes on her left foot.

"You're silly."

"Why?"

"Do you really think that these shoes indeed fit me or they are your favourite shoes?"

He chuckled. "Ah. You're spoiling the surprise. Yes, I need new shoes for school and I thought why don't I get Tomoyo the same one."

"Couple shoes, eh? So cheesy of you," she teased her.

"Stop pulling my leg." He smiled and looked at her when he finished with her shoes. "That's better."

She gave him questioned look.

"How do you feel? Better?"

She nodded.

"What about the coat? Do you like it?" he referred to the camel coloured trench coat that she tried earlier, "I think they suit you. You're beautiful anyway so anything works for you."

She chuckled and nodded. "How about the dress?" she referred to the floral red dress with flared above knee length skirt.

"Red? Really?"

"Yes. Why?"

"I prefer the beige one."

"Let's get them both."

"Fine by me, my lady."

They stood up and he put on the coat over her. She blushed over his gesture. She buttoned the coat and he turned her around facing him to help her with the belt on the coat.

"I can do it by myself," she said.

"I insisted. Do you need someone to dress you up just to make you happy?"

They both were too late to realize their close proximity. His hands were already on her arms ready to pull her into embrace. The heat radiated between them clouded her judgment. "Maybe. But I guess, not just anyone. I think it's just you—"

He pulled her into his arms and held her tight. He buried his head into her neck and inhaled her tuberose scent. She could smell his sandalwood perfume, too.

"Eriol." She said in his neck.

"Yes?" he whispered on her ear and sent chills to down to her spine.

"S'il vous plaît, reste avec moi ce soir," she asked in French.

"Tout pour toi mademoiselle," he answered and hugged her even tighter.

Knock! Knock! Someone knocked his bedroom door.

"Yes?"

"It's me," Tomoyo said while opening the door. She let herself in.

"Hi. What's up? You already showered, I see," Eriol referred to Tomoyo who was already in her home attire, sweater, skirt and warm legging. She sat on his bed while he was packing his stuff.

"And you are still packing your stuff," she stated.

"Yeah. I just realized my stuff is everywhere and I shopped more than I anticipated. So I thought it would only make sense if I started sorting out my stuff now."

"Come on, Eri. We have complimentary service that will bring all your stuff to home."

He dropped the shopping bag that he was holding and turned to her, "Really? I can use the concierge?"

She shrugged, "Sure. Why not? If you want I can ask them to start sending your stuff home now."

"Ah! Why you did not say? I could really use some help," he exasperated.

She chuckled. "Come now. Let's go to my room. I will order some food."

"Are we really going to eat in your room?" he questioned her unlady-like manner.

She rolled her eyes. "We agreed, Eriol. Movie and dinner tonight in my room."

"Okay. I need a quick shower. Can I take some of the bathroom amenities from yours? I used up mine."

"Feel free to use my bathroom if you want. I will make some call," she got up from the bed.

"No, Tomoyo. I only need the shampoo not the bathroom—"

"Eriol!" she raised her hand to stop him, "It's okay. Take a bath if you want, no, you need it. Trust me!"

"Okay, then," he thought there was no need to rebut her otherwise her mood would turn sour again.

His decision turned out to be a wise one. He found her choosing the movies from Netflix when he stepped out of the bathroom. Her mood was quite bright since they agreed on watching the trilogy of The Lord of The Rings. A long movie but they did not mind to spend the night together doing mundane stuff since it would be their last night together.

Between dinner and pizza and popcorn, they began to open themselves. She told him her life in Japan and he told her his life in England. Their topic of conversation went everywhere from family to hobbies to politics. They were not paying attention anymore to the movie by the half of the second movie and finally fell asleep next to each other by the first half of the third movie. And in the morning when they found they were sleeping together (but nothing happened), things became awkward. He went straight to his room and she went straight to shower. Nevertheless, they could not hide their smiles and things were getting better when they burst into laugh during breakfast.

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"So this is it, I guess?" she said. The raven haired girl stood in front of the gate with in her trench coat carrying her bag on her shoulder. The bespectacled guy with midnight blue hair was holding her right hand with his left hand. His other hand was carrying her cabin luggage. They stood in front of each other.

"This is it, I guess, where I have to let you go—" he put his forehead on hers.

"No. Don't let me go, please. Hold me tight," she said.

"Okay," he hugged her tight. She smiled in his arms.

"Eriol, do you think we will see each other again?"

"Absolutely. Why would we not?" he said still hugging her.

"I don't know. I like being with you—"

"Tomoyo," he said when they pulled away and took her by her chin.

"Yes?" she blushed on their extreme close proximity.

"Can I have feeling for you?"

"What is it?"

"Affection," he caressed her cheek.

"Excuse me?" she asked with half confusion and excitement.

"Tomoyo, I like you," he stated while looking right into her eyes.

"I like you, too," she answered shortly.

"You do?" he asked with a little smirk.

She nodded. "A little too late, isn't it? You could have told me two weeks ago."

He held her hand with a sad smile, "I'm sorry. Initially, I wanted to tell you but I wasn't sure how you would take it and also I wanted to make sure my feeling to you."

"Eriol. Honestly, I want 'us' so much. We share the same feeling but I don't know what are we going to do from now on. We're gonna be on each other side of the planet. How are we going to deal with this? Endless video call? And what about Mizuki-sensei?"

"What about her?"

"I thought you guys were a thing. I don't wanna be the 'other woman' as much as I like you."

"We're over, Tomoyo, you know that."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am. I'm into you now and I regret that I didn't tell you earlier. I don't mind we're seeing each other by video call neither do I mind staying up late waiting for you. And I want you to know that you worth waiting for," he caressed her cheek tenderly that gave her Goosebumps.

"I'll wait for you, Eriol," Tomoyo held his hand that touched her cheek and kissed his palm lovingly, which give him Goosebumps also.

"Till we meet again, Tomoyo." He was finally ready to let her go.

"Till we meet again, Eriol." She walked couple steps behind but her hand still touched his. He handed her the cabin luggage.

She was going to turn to the gate when suddenly he pulled her waist and had their lips locked. He did not let the kiss last long or else he would not be able to let her go entirely. She was stunned by his action.

"Just something to hold on until we meet again," he smiled.

She was still in her shock state, something that he already predicted also, and said, "Thank you. Bye!" by that she turned to the gate leaving him.

She stopped in front of the gate ready to scan her boarding pass and sighed hard. Why, oh why, Tomoyo? She thought. She made up her mind and turned back to Eriol almost running with all of her stuff. She threw all of her belongings on the floor and stopped in front of him. She grabbed his head and pulled him into a deep passionate kiss, something that he was not expecting, but returned it nonetheless. Their second kiss lasted much longer than the first one.

"Oh, Tomoyo. Why?" he said when they pulled away.

"Because I do not want you to hold onto simple kiss like that. This is how you would kiss me from now on. Can you do that?" she demanded despite the fifty shades of red on her cheeks.

"Anything for you, my Angel," he said caressing her cheeks.

"Angel? Is that your term of endearment to me?"

"Suits you perfectly," he kissed her lips again. "Now off you go, before I'm tempted to steal you away from your mother."

"I'm flattered." With that, she finally made her way back to the gate. She turned one more time to him before going to the boarding pass scanner in the express lane for the first and business class passengers. "Eriol!" she called him out.

"Yes?"

"Next time it's my turn. When you arrived in Japan, I'll be there to pick you up. It'll be with big smile and no books."

He chuckled, "Promise?"

"Cross my heart and hope to die," was all what she said before blowing him a kiss and finally leaving him.

.

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Eriol woke up from her dream. His body was slightly sliding down on the plane coach and when he rose, he felt his lower back aching. Damn, plane coach! I should've just broken my trust fund and flew on the first class instead, he cursed his decision. His dream brought him back the time when Tomoyo departed from London Heathrow leaving him for the first time. Somewhere at the bottom of his heart, he longed for her. But their little awkward moment before he went to England to visit his father, slimmed his chance. Both of them had not spoken since his confession.

He was waiting by the baggage belt when he finally switched off the flight mode of his mobile. Still nothing from her, he thought. He contemplated whether he had to be the first one to talk to Tomoyo. Suddenly, he remembered her promise to pick him from the airport when he arrived in Japan. The first time he had not expected anything because he intentionally did not inform anyone that he was coming to Japan to surprise her. However, it was different this time, he expected her to be there for him despite their little act of silence for the last couple weeks.

Then in the middle of the crowd, stood a beautiful gorgeous lady in her honey coloured summer dress with white cardigan. She had her long black tresses in high ponytail and her bang to the side. She was enthusiastically looking for someone and there he was, Eriol Hiiragizawa, stood still admiring her beauty. He was still in his state of shock until she finally caught his sight and smiled while waving her hand at him.

"Eri!" she called him up. She nudged the big guy next to her, "Kei, it's him." They went approaching Eriol and Kei offered to bring his luggage which he gladly accept.

"Please, wait in front of the building. I will get the car to you," Kei said and he went away to the car park.

Tomoyo put her arm on his as they walked to the outside of the building. Eriol did not seem mind with this gesture since they were dating anyway. Are we? He doubted.

"Eri?"She called him.

"Yes?" he gave her his trademark smile.

"How are you? Welcome home, baby," she said and give him a hug, which he returned.

"I'm fine. Though the flight was not so pleasant. I flew in coach and I slept badly."

She chuckled, "I thought you were gonna be in the first class."

"If I had known it would be a terrible flight, I would've booked the business class flight at least. I got upgraded to the business class on the first flight to London."

"Lucky you!"

"Yes, I was."

And then they were caught in awkward silent. Tomoyo thought they should have talked about what happened before he left for England couple weeks ago. If they wanted to move forward with their relationship, they must talk about it one way or another.

"Eriol?"

"Yes!"

Honk! Kei arrived with the car and they got in before she had the chance to talk. Damn you, Kei! She thought.


please review and beta readers are totally welcomed

xoxo