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"'Morning, Tomoyo"

Upon hearing the familiar voice Tomoyo turned around. As much as awkward as she felt, she was good enough in hiding the feeling.

"Good Morning, Juno"

The lad shifted his legs in discomfort. Scratching his head, he started with a faint blush on his face, "I'm sorry about yesterday... I didn't know you're already seeing someone"

Neither did I... Tomoyo told herself. "That didn't explain your behavior with me-"

Juno cringed in embarrassment and quickly interrupted her, "I'm ugh... sorry about that too. I couldn't stop myself-I-I-you were so irresistible! I mean it's so hard for a guy to...you know!" He struggled in explaining himself which ended in a miserable failure not to mentioned his reddened face. He sighed, "I'm sorry. There won't be a next time. I promise!"

"..." Tomoyo kept gazing at him. Although she didn't say a word, Juno knew that she was not mad at him.

"Will you forgive me, Tomoyo?" he asked with a serene smile, looking straight into her eyes. That somehow restored the trust she had in him. She smiled back and nodded with a "Hm"

That brought a smile on his face. He was relieved. Then they both walked together, chatting all the way up their classroom.

Touya spent the rest of the week waiting for the weekend, apart from the daily text messages and a couple of phone calls he made. They never texted or chatted very much. As it was new for them to be in the relationship, their pace was pretty slow. But even little felt great for the both of them. They were to meet on Saturday which finally came.

Touya woke up early and helped his father with breakfast. After having the breakfast with her family Sakura rushed to her room to get ready. She had a date with Syaoran. They were to go to the carnival. He lied to his father that he was to meet his friends from high school. His father did sense an ounce of falsehood in his son, as he could feel that he was hiding something. But he decided to respect his son's privacy and let it pass. His son was upto something he couldn't share with his own father. Fujitaka was patient, by nature. Time will give him the answers he deserved.

Touya started getting ready for his own date. He had already decided to wear that white casual shirt he bought from the store with Tomoyo. He smiled as he recalled how Tomoyo's eyes went wide, cheeks blushed and her lips made a small 'o' when she saw him in that shirt. Would she make the same reaction, today...?

Touya pulled over his car at the bus stop where he found Tomoyo standing. She had asked him to pick her up there as she didn't want to get caught with Touya at her gate by any of her bodyguards or securities.

She was clad in a knee length white gown taking him by surprise. Tomoyo confirmed his guess as she got into his car and said, "I knew you'd wear this today!"

Touya smiled, "Am I that predictable?"

Tomoyo giggled at that. Then he drove in the direction of the bowling alley.

They had a great time bowling. Touya was good at the sport. Tomoyo was not familiar with it as much as he was. He taught her well that she was able to cope up.

Tomoyo chose McDonald's for having lunch where they had burgers, fries and cola. Touya didn't know that she'd like fast food till then. They went for a movie, the genre being a thriller. They both like to watch thriller films.

After the movie, they both found themselves walking in the park together. Sun was setting, with an orange hue. The birds were chirping and the breeze blew over their faces. Walking side by side felt so good for both of them. Minutes of small talk was followed by silence. They were just walking together and all of a sudden, they became conscious of their physical closeness. Their hands brushed against each other while walking. Tomoyo was hoping that Touya would hold her hand. Touya was too. But, he couldn't bring himself to. Why couldn't he...? Is it because it was only their first official date...?

They were about to turn around a corner and there was nobody around. "Ah!", Tomoyo tripped and was about to fall.

Touya was alarmed and grabbed her upper arm, breaking the fall. Two pairs of eyes were locked in a long gaze and they both realized how good-looking their partners were. Hearts started to beat fast and they both knew that they wouldn't be able to salvage the situation without drowning into this sickeningly sweet feeling.

Sudden desire to taste the lips of the other was trickling into their minds and they knew not how they were to pull it off. Touya was the first to lean few inches forward.

*BARK BARK* came a dog barking at the couple, breaking then from their trance. Its owner brought him along for dog-walking, it seemed. Embarrassed with themselves, they started walking again.

It was already 7 PM, so they started for dinner. As promised, Touya took her to a fine dining restaurant. The place was dimly lit with candles having the typical romantic atmosphere. They had great time together but time flew by so quickly and it was time for Tomoyo to get back home.

Touya pulled over his car at the corner around which Tomoyo had to walk to reach the entrance of her bungalow.

Touya was raking his mind as to what to say to her but Tomoyo touch on his hand which was on the gear pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Thank you so much, Touya! I had a great time" said she, with a tint of redness on her cheeks.

Touya mad his sweet smile and said, "I had fun too but are you going to keep thanking me after every date...?"

Tomoyo giggled. "I'll take it back"

"Yes, please"

Silence fell yet again. It was already dark. The street was deserted. Perfect time for a post date kiss. Touya knew it, but he dared not to venture it out. She was very young. And it was only their first official date. He could not take advantage of her innocence like that.

Tomoyo could feel his silent desire to take their relationship to the next level. She was confused with his hesitation. But she dare not ask him about it. She let it pass for the time being.

"Gotta go before mom gets back home"

Regretting missing the chance he got, Touya nodded, "Yeah. Bye. Will call you once I get back home"

"Sure" she said and hopped out of her car and started walking towards her home. After seeing her entering past the gate, from afar, he started his car.

Weeks passed as the couple went on a few more dates. As much as close they both grew together, Touya did nothing more than holding hands with her. He never hugged nor kissed her. His hesitation only confused his girlfriend more. She began to doubt whether he liked her. Was he dating her just to deal with his lonely life? May be he lost interest in her after getting to know about her over the weeks. But Touya was unaware of the feeling of insecurity Tomoyo was in.

Then came the days before the New Year festival. Tomoyo was at Sakura's place where Touya was at the dining table, eating dinner with the girls. Fujitaka was away on an official trip. So, Tomoyo offered to cook for the siblings, taking help from them of course. But she had her own selfish intention to spend the evening with her secret boyfriend. They both shared a few careful, calculated glances and smiles when they were sure Sakura was not noticing.

"Hey, Tomoyo! Syaoran and I are going to the New Year fire work festival. You must come with us!"

"And be the third wheel? No way"

"Aw! Come on! It'll be so much fun!"

"Sakura, I'll come to your house on the evening and fix your kimono, hair and makeup. But, tagging along...? No can do"

"But, Tomoyo-Chan! We've always celebrated the new year festival together!"

"Hmm..." Tomoyo was thoughtful. Sakura was right. And it became hard for her to say no if Sakura becomes persistent. She loved her friend very much.

Touya who was apparently away from the girl's chat, cut in, "Why don't you call your other friends too so that Daidouji wouldn't have to do 'third-wheeling'?" although it was his suggestion, his intention was to make his sister invite him.

"Rika-San is with Terada-san. Rika-San told me that they've chosen to spend the New Year festival together and alone. They won't be coming. Chiharu-san has fought with Takashi-san. So I doubt whether they'd patch up by the time of the festival. Naoko-San is going on a trip with family. Ah!" Sakura blurted out in frustration.

Tomoyo smiled sweetly at her friend.

"Oh yeah! I totally forgot about Juno! And he gets along well with you, doesn't he, Tomoyo-chan? I'll invite him"

Tomoyo and Touya were both alarmed and instantly met each other in the eye, at the mention of the boy. Juno was the last guy on earth Touya would want his girlfriend to be with especially on New Year's eve.

"Are you sure? Do you think he'd be in town" Tomoyo asked.

"Huh?!" Sakura blinked.

"Because, if I remember correct, he did mention about visiting his hometown. I'm not sure though" Tomoyo lied spontaneously. Touya could scent the lie, He smiled to himself.

"I see... Too bad" said Sakura. As if reading Touya mind, Sakura turned to see his brother who seemed to be eating without a care in the world.

"Oni-san. Why don't you come with us?"

"No way. Not with you kids. It'd be boring" Touya said in his fake tone of disinterest.

"Aw! Come on! Can't you do this for Tomoyo-chan? It will be your chance to reciprocate her kindness for cooking the fried rice you're gobbling down right now"

Touya swallowed the food in his mouth and said, "If you put it that way..."

"Please! Huh...?! Pretty please!" Sakura was practically begging her brother with crossed arms to the point of making Tomoyo guilty.

"Hmm..." Touya hummed, picking the glass on table and washing his throat with a mouthful of water.

Tomoyo smiled secretly as she saw the tantrums her boyfriend was throwing with his little sister when she knew herself that he had every intention to be with her on New Year eve.

"Okay" said he, earning am enthusiastic 'Yay!' from his sister.

As Sakura was back with her eating regime, Touya who was sitting across the table, opposite Tomoyo got up catching her attention. As he drank the water from his glass, he made a cute, quick wink at her, making her blush without control. She was grateful that her best friend didn't get to see her red face. She was looking forward to the New Year as it was about to give beautiful memories to cherish for life... Or so she thought...

Okay... I know the story's pace is slow... But I had to plan up till this point for the twist which is upcoming in the next chapter... So, keep your fingers crossed and wait for the next update... :)

Please leave a review... :)