Hi dear readers! Thank you so much for reviewing, following and favoriting! Sorry for making you wait for another week. As a reward for your patience, I've made this chapter Super long! Enjoy reading!
In the late evening of Tuesday, Touya retired early in his room right after dinner, skipping the usual post-dinner family chat, giving fatigue as an excuse. He sighed emptily after checking his mobile for the 23rd time during the day, for any notification that connected with Tomoyo. There was none.
She wouldn't make the first move. He knew that. But how was he to make any move in the first place? He didn't have anything specific or relevant to talk to her! Even if he sent her a text on a random basis, it would only give her the wrong idea that he's interested in her. How was he to remain in close contact with her without seeming interested? Especially when she happened to be one of the smartest girls in town!
As much as he was tempted to text or call her, he knew that he had to be patient. He had to keep his cool with her and seem indifferent. He decided that he wasn't going to try contacting her until further notice. Let her think that he really doesn't care. Yeah... He better play safe for now.
Days passed in painful loneliness with no word from Tomoyo. It was finally Friday and his resolution had been eroded away by then. He took out his mobile and tapped the mobile keyboard swiftly and sent a short text.
Hi. Our shopping plan is due tomorrow. Are you still in...?
*BEEP* came the sound from his device right after 4 minutes. It was reply from Tomoyo.
Yes. Thanks for the reminder though...
Touya's eyebrows scrunched up.
So, you forgot...?
Of course, not. Just thanking you for considering to remind me.
Oh, ok. But are you really ok with it...? I mean... You really don't have to come, just because I asked you to...
What ever gave you the idea that I'm coming 'just because you asked me to'...?
Touya blinked. What was he going to say to that...?
We'll, you do have a test on Monday.
I've already prepared for it. Spent all the evenings of this week on it.
Wow... Good job...
Thanks.
Should I come and pick you up...?
It was Tomoyo's turn to blink. She bit her lower lip, mulling over the tempting offer. The problem is, she can't have Touya at her doorstep every time and invoke suspicion of her mother. In fact, she only told her mom that she has some sewing materials to purchase, that she had to go to the mall the next day. It was only partly true and she didn't want her mom to know that she formed any part in Touya's shopping regime.
No need. I don't want to delay you. My driver would drop me.
Touya was inwardly disappointed but didn't let himself know that.
You wouldn't be delaying me. But if you have your driver to drop you, then it's fine.
Thanks for the offer anyway. May be next time.
Touya smiled at that. 'may be next time'
Sure. Will text you once I start from here and once when I reach. Good night.
So would I. Good night.
A short conversation via texting. That felt good again. He went to bed with a hope another long, beautiful date.
As promised, Touya sent texts when he started and when he reached the mall, to Tomoyo. He was in the clothes store in the men's section. In less than five minutes, he got a call from Tomoyo.
"Daidouji? Where are you?"
"Ground floor near the entrance"
"Come to first floor, 'Lifestyle', men's section"
"Right!"
Then she hung up.
She's coming... Touya's heart started to beat fast. Was he nervous?! But why?! She was just a young teen! His little sister's best friend! Touya sighed. How many times was he to remind himself that...? Was that going to change his secret attraction towards the girl...?
"Touya"
Touya turned around and if his heart was not beating fast enough till a moment ago, it sure did thump against his chest when he beheld the damsel, clad in long sleeved, knee-length, polyester frock, which was plain navy blue up to her waist. The skirt was pure white with horizontal navy blue stripes. The royalty of the colour contrasting against her pale skin made her glow like a fairy. Touya realized that he was staring at her with his mouth partly open which embarrassed him out of his wits.
"Um..." He decided to start a conversation but was unsure what to say.
"Let's start" she suggested and started to look for casual clothes that are in trend, for his size. And not before long, together they picked a lot of them. Touya went for trial and showed Tomoyo after he wore each set. Tomoyo discarded a couple of them. She thought that the colour didn't suit him.
Both Tomoyo and Touya found that it was quite enjoyable when Touya had to try the clothes on and show it to Tomoyo every time for her opinion. Touya loved it particularly. Her attention exclusively on him was pleasant and satisfactory.
And at the end, they bought three T shirts, five shirts, two pairs of jeans and a pair of shoes for casual wear. They exited the store with Touya carrying most of the bags. Upon Tomoyo's relentless insistence, he let her carry the T shirts because they weighed the least.
"That was quite a harvest!" Touya said. He was very happy because it wasn't often that he bought so many clothes at one go!
"Hm...? But, from the way you had told me earlier, I thought you're gonna buy the whole store!" Tomoyo faked an exaggerated sigh.
Touya chuckled. "Do you have anything to buy?"
"Yes. Only a few sewing materials"
"Ok then, let's go get them"
"Mmhm! The store is in second floor"
Much to his surprise, Tomoyo took no longer that 5 minutes in the store before she bought them.
It was time for lunch so they went to the food court in the mall and had pizza. They had good chat while they ate. After which they entered the multiplex which was inside the mall.
They waited there for a few mins till the movie's time came. They were talking about all the other films which were released in the month while they waited. When their time came, they entered the theatre.
They found their seats and sat together. They movie started in a couple of minutes and much to Touya's relief, the movie was good enough to hold the interest of both. He didn't have to be overly conscious about how close she was sitting beside him in the darkness of the theatre. And not before long, the movie was over. It was already 4 PM.
Tomoyo got a call. She excused herself from his presence, went to a secluded part of the mall and attended the call. It was her mother who called just to check up on her. Tomoyo lied to her mother for the first time by saying that she felt so bored that she went to the library and was reading. She knew that her mother would never ask her driver about it.
Her mother bought that because that was so like her daughter. She told her to come home soon to which she agreed.
She went back to Touya and before he could ask if something was wrong that made her look upset, she said, "It's getting late. I gotta go"
Touya nodded. "You have your driver...?"
"Yes. I called him too. He'd be waiting at the entrance"
Woah! That was fast! Is she that desperate to leave..?! Touya's heart sank. She was leaving. And he couldn't stop her. He walked with her to the entrance. She gave him his bag and got in the car. She waved him bye to which he waved back before the car started.
He wasn't lucky this time because he wasn't given the time and opportunity to muster up the courage and ask her when they were to meet again.
Touya took out his cellphone and sent her a quick message.
Pls message me once you reach home
He knew he didn't have to make sure she reached home safe because it was her driver who was taking her home. But he couldn't fight the temptation to text her. He went and got it in his car right away. He had to go home too. His mobile beeped the next minute.
Sure. And thanks for the wonderful time.
Isn't that my line...? Thank you for coming.
Touya kept texting her when he was made to wait in traffic and signals on his way home.
No, please, don't be formal. I'm glad to be of some use to you.
Touya's heartstrings pulled at her words. She was painfully kind. Did he even deserve her...?
You were more than just being useful.
Touya clicked the 'send' button before he decided against it. He immediately regretted it. His choice of words could only give the wrong idea. Tomoyo's heart skipped a beat when she opened his latest message. Another message followed in a few seconds which read:
You were a great company.
Touya 'whew'ed. That was a close call! He told himself. Tomoyo smiled when she saw the text. She texted back.
Thank you. You were too.
Touya smiled at that. He texted a 'thank you' with which the chat was frozen till a few mins after he reached home. Tomoyo sent a message that she reached. He only texted back 'good. Take care'. The chat ended for good that day.
Touya was restless. It was Wednesday evening and the clock was showing 8.35 PM. No phone call or message from Tomoyo. Nor did he make any to her. That did a lot of damage to his confidence. He highly doubted if she was interested in him at all. Then there was this 7 years of age gap. Did she even see him as a guy...?!
He picked up his phone and kept staring at it. Then he tossed it away on his bed. He simply can't make a move and give her the wrong idea! He would never do a thing that could give her the wrong idea! That would ruin the impression! He let out a frustrated sigh and plopped on his bed, his gaze fixed emptily on the ceiling.
The next evening, at 3.37 PM he found himself pulling over his car in the parking area of the school he graduated from. He admitted to himself that he had to see her, come what may. He entered the campus and started walking towards his sister's class. He knew which class his sister was in and he remembered which part of the building, the senior high classrooms were. He probably wasn't late because the class would have ended only by 3.30 PM. The students wouldn't have left the campus yet. And he kept his eyes open on all the students those were exiting, on his way to the classroom.
He finally reached the classroom. There were a few students still in, talking with their friends, packing books etc., Sakura wasn't there obviously because she had an 'on duty' assignment outside school. That was the primary reason that gave him the courage to sneak in and try meeting with Tomoyo, in his sister's absence.
There was no Tomoyo. Surely she wouldn't have left that early. Touya was confused. He went to the gym; then to the music room; then the library; the playground... No sign of the girl. It was 4.30 PM already. Most of the students have already left.
Fate was cruel. Was it 'The end' between them...? Touya's confusion turned into disappointment during his drive back. He started imagining his life becoming normal as always and without Tomoyo. His face grimaced at the thought. He didn't like the idea at all. He pulled his car over in his house's garage, went to his doorstep and pressed the bell.
His father was there to greet him but with a little surprise.
"Where did you run off too?"
Touya realized that he was in such a hurry that he forgot to inform his dad. Not that he'd admit the truth. But he would have made up something believable.
"Sorry, dad. I forgot. It was..." Touya drawled as he entered the house and plopped on the couch with a loud sigh. "...I had an urgent business"
"You were just a minute too late"
Before the confused lad could look up at the elder and meet him in the eye, his gaze fell on a small box.
"Tomoyo came and gave you-US this"
Touya's heart skipped a beat. He tried to compose himself so that his tone shouldn't sound as surprised as he was.
"Tomoyo came?" He asked.
"Yep. We had a nice chat for about forty - forty five minutes. Then she said it was getting late and she left with her bodyguards in her fancy car".
Without looking up, he grabbed the box and opened it.
"Cupcakes...?" Touya muttered. It took him a moment to recollect a lost memory. I do remember telling her that I like cupcakes... Especially the chocolate flavoured ones... They were all of chocolate flavours.
"She told me that she made a 'few' which she thought she could share with us"
Dammit! I missed her!
The elder Kinomoto didn't fail to notice the disappointment on his son's face.
"That's very thoughtful of her. We'll have them for dessert" Touya said as if unaffected and left to his room.
"Dammit! She was here all along when I was at school searching for her" Touya mumbled to himself. If only he had known she would come, he would never have left! And what was she doing here with those cupcakes and chitcatting with his father, leaving school right after it was over for the day...? Especially when she knew Sakura wouldn't be there at home...? But Sakura knew that Touya was working from home that day. Could she have told Tomoyo about it...? So, did Tomoyo come to the house and wait just to see him...? She did bake and bring his favourite cupcakes...! Why else would she have a forty five minute long small talk with his father...? The series of events started to give him undue hopes that both excited and worried him. He was worried that he was letting his imagination get the better of him. There is only one way to put an end to this.
He grabbed his phone and dialed her number. She attended the call in a few seconds.
"Um-hi"
"Touya...!? Hi"
"Thanks...for the cupcakes"
Tomoyo chuckled. "You're welcome. How were they?" Tell me you loved them and you wanna make it up to me with another date...
"I didn't have them yet. But I know they'd be fantastic"
Although a bit disappointed, Tomoyo let her lips stretch into a big smile as she blushed.
"I made a few which-"
"You thought you could share with us. Dad told me"
Tomoyo bit her lower lip as she blushed again. I wanted to see you and give you another reason to take me out... But you weren't there when I came... I waited a bit for you to come back but you never came...
"Um..." I came to your school to see you but you weren't there. I searched for you everywhere. Never thought you'd be at my house all along. But I can't tell you this and give you the wrong idea. 'Cause I've to pretend to be cool around you...
Several seconds ticked away in mutual silence after which Tomoyo decided to break it.
"Should I hang up?"
"Huh?! Er...yeah" NO! Not yet!
"Bye"
"Wait! Ugh..." This is your last chance! Just ask her out!
"Yes?" Tomoyo asked as her tone betrayed her eagerness.
"I'll...let you know about the cupcakes" Damn you, idiot!
"Huh?! Yeah. Sure"
"Bye"
"Bye"
Damn you! Touya cursed himself as he raked his scalp with his long fingers. But truth be told, he had no idea now to ask her out just like that. At least the previous times, he used his infamous 'making up for baking' technique. But he can't apply the same again. That would be so lame and fake. But he had to meet her again.
Pls be honest! Was that too slow or boring...? Wil try making it more interesting in the upcoming chapters...
Pls drop a review...