Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura belongs to CLAMP, not me.

In the last chapter:

"How do I prove it when you are keeping him away from me?" Sakura muttered into his shoulder.

"You are not the one doing the proving—Li is," Touya said. "This is a test for him—to see for myself if he is worthy of you."

"But he's a CEO… surely that itself is a plus point…"

"His status is of no concern to me," Touya said. "I don't care if he is filthy rich or if he is the president."

Sakura reared back. "Then how—"

Touya held up his forefinger to silence Sakura. "You don't have to worry about it. Just concentrate on your studies. The University entrance examinations are coming up and I really want you to study hard for them."

Sakura knew that there was no way that she could change Touya's decision once he made them. She sighed in defeat and nodded her head in agreement. "But only until graduation and not a day later."

"Agreed," Touya said. He then looked at Yukito. "Can we have our breakfast?"

Sensei, I Love You

Chapter 31

"He's not here?" Sakura asked. "But how can he not be here? This is his company, isn't it?"

The receptionist at the lobby frowned at Sakura as if she had just uttered an expletive. "I assure you that this company is owned by the Li family and our Li-sama is the current CEO, leading the company to greater heights. He's currently away on business trip. Perhaps you would like to leave your fan mail with me so that I can pass it to him when he returns?"

"F-fan mail?" Sakura sputtered. "I'm not one of his stupid fans. This is crazy… Even the CEOs have fans nowadays? Are they idols now?"

"If you are not here on corporate business, I'm afraid we cannot entertain you any further," the receptionist said with a sweet smile and turned her attention back to computer screen, clearly dismissing Sakura.

"So I guess this is how you treat guests at Li Corp," Sakura said but the receptionist did not even bat an eyelash at her. "Do you know when he will be back?"

"I'm sorry. We are not allowed to entertain fan girls."

Sakura wanted to bang her head against the marble tabletop out of sheer frustration but it looked so expensive that she was afraid the surface might crack upon impact. "Look… I've been trying to contact him for the past few weeks but he isn't answering his personal mobile. Is there any way that I can talk to him? Do you have his overseas office number?"

"Miss, I must ask you to leave before I call the security," the receptionist said and reached for the phone.

"Wait! Wait!" Sakura was frantic. It would be disastrous if she were to be evicted from the building because Li Corp was her last hope of contacting Syaoran. Initially, she wondered why he wasn't picking up her calls and thought that he wanted her to concentrate on her studies. However, she has already graduated from high school for a few weeks. She even got into her ideal choice of University and will be starting her classes soon. Why wasn't he back with her? The more she thought of it, the more unsettled she became.

"Hello? Security? There's a girl here…"

"Fine! Okay? I'll go!" Sakura shouted and waited until the receptionist ended the call. The receptionist raised an eyebrow when Sakura remained standing before the front desk. "Alright… Since Li Syaoran isn't available, how about Hiiragizawa-san? And Meiling-san? I'm sure either one of them is around. Could you… call and check? I really need to speak with someone. Please? Call them and tell them Kinomoto Sakura is here. I'm 100% sure they will recognize my name."

The receptionist's poker face was unreadable as she picked up the phone again and punched some numbers. Even as she was conversing with the other party, her eyes kept darting back to Sakura as if trying to figure out how a mere girl knew about high profile employees of Li Corp.

"You must have some kind of connection," the receptionist conceded after the call ended. She withdrew a visitor pass from a drawer not visible from Sakura's position and passed it to her. "Take the lift on the extreme left and head to the second last floor. Hiiragizawa-sama will see you there in his office."

Sakura's face fell immediately. "So it's Hiiragizawa-san eh? I was hoping Meiling would be the one seeing me…"

"You have no idea how lucky you are that Hiiragizawa-sama is willing to see you. Hardly anyone got the chance to go up to the upper most floors in the building."

"He's a grumpy man," Sakura said and thanked the receptionist for the visitor pass before she dragged herself over to the lift as instructed. When the door opened on the thirtieth floor, Eriol was standing outside with his arms crossed. He looked as if it he was happy to see her and from the amused expression he has on his face, Sakura deduced it couldn't be anything good. "Um… Hi? Thanks for seeing me."

Eriol shrugged. "Well… It's not as if I have a choice in this. It's either I see you or I let my ears rot from listening to all the crappy nonsense from the famous CEO of the world."

"I heard from the receptionist that Li-sensei is overseas on a business trip."

"A business trip that last 3 months? I doubt so."

Sakura's eyes widened and her heart almost dropped to the ground at the implied meaning. "He's not on business trip? Then why is he avoiding me?"

"He's on a business trip alright—a forced one," Eriol said and motioned for Sakura to follow him to his office where they could talk in private. When the both of them walked passed his secretary, the older woman stared at her with incredulous eyes as if she couldn't believe it that her boss was talking to another woman.

"So he's super busy that he couldn't pick up my calls?" Sakura asked. "I mean... It has been some time since we met but couldn't he have answered at least one of my calls? It felt as though he was avoiding me on purpose. Or... Did he think that we don't suit each other anymore? I got to knock some sense into him... After the spending three months in agony... this is what I get in return..."

"And this girl grumbles too..." Eriol muttered. "Well... I hardly consider myself of psychiatrist but I thought it would be good if the two of you can meet each other and sort out the issue on your own."

"How? He isn't picking up my calls. There's no way that I can reach him."

"Hmm... What I'm about to offer you may sound crazy but I can actually offer you the trip of your lifetime."

"Um... Okay... That sounds kind of weird considering our topic is on how I can contact him."

"Examinations have dulled your brain," Eriol said. Sakura was about to protest but he held out a hand to silence her. "What I'm saying is that I can fly you to where Syaoran is."

Sakura's eyes widened immediately. "Fly overseas?"

Eriol nodded."Well, since he is adamant on staying there, I see no other alternatives."

"But the expenses..." She computed the amount of money she needed and was dismayed at how little her savings were. "I don't have that much money."

Eriol sat behind his desk and pressed the intercom to bark an order to his secretary. "Book two tickets to Hong Kong immediately under company's expense. First class seats. I'll send you the other passenger's details shortly."

"Is this really okay? I'm not an employee of Li Corp."

"Like I care. This is his freaking company. Anything expenses involving him is charged to his own account. Let him have a taste of his own medicine. You need to pack your stuff 'coz we're leaving tonight if everything goes on smoothly."

Both of them reached Hong Kong exactly ten hours later. A chauffer in navy blue uniform greeted them at the arrival hall and guided them to the sleek black limousine waiting just outside the nearest exit.

"Welcome to Hong Kong," Eriol murmured as he mock bowed and allowed Sakura to board the limousine ahead of him. "I'll make sure you enjoy yourself to the fullest while you are here."

"Um... Thanks, I guess. Where are we going now?"

Eriol slid onto the seat opposite her with such grace that she actually ogled him. "To the mansion of course." When she looked confused, he continued with a wicked grin that accentuated the blueness of his eyes. "To the Li mansion. Do you want a glass of red wine?"

"A glass of what?" Sakura couldn't believe this guy! How could he be so relaxed at a time like this?

Eriol poured the wine into a fanciful glass that looked like it would break in one's light grip. He offered her a glass, to which she shook her head. "No? That's just too bad-you're missing out on the good stuff."

Sakura shook her head again. "If I'm going to Sensei's home, I need my mind to be clear. I wouldn't want to do anything to make his mother dislike me more."

Eriol took a sip and eyed Sakura over the rim of his glass. "But this will calm your nerves."

"No, thanks."

Eriol shrugged. "Then I shall respect your decision."

"How long will it take for us to reach?" Sakura asked, turning to look out into the night scene. She only saw numerous cars and bright lights everywhere.

"About an hour. Ample time for you to calm your nerves."

Sakura thought she heard a tinge of amusement in his voice and threw him a glare. The cursed man only raised a brow in return, as if challenging her. "I would have kicked you to death for that if you were of my age."

"Well, I'd like to see you try. No one is stopping you."

"But I'm letting you off the hook since you so kindly brought me all the way here despite your busy schedule."

"Oh, this is nothing compared to the expression I'll see on my cousin's face." He chuckled at his own thoughts causing Sakura to roll her eyes.

"Weirdo."

"Weirdo at your service, Miss."

"You weren't supposed to hear that!"

"Blame it on my good hearing."

Idiocy must have run in the family. Both cousins were acting the same; both tickled her patience at times.

"Can I ask you a question?" Eriol suddenly interrupted their blessed moment of silence.

"As long as it isn't a stupid question."

"I assure you it's not," Eriol said and set his wine on the small table beside him. "The girl you were with when I picked you up from school the other day... Who is she?"

Sakura nodded. "She is Daidouji Tomoyo, the nicest girl I've ever met. Wait... Why are you asking me this out of a sudden? Are you, by any chance, interested in her? You can't! You'll bore her to death within minutes of meeting her."

"And I didn't know you are a girl of many words."

"What? I'm concerned, okay?"

"Concerned about whether I'll bore your friend to death, I know," Eriol said. His lips were pressed into a thin line. "I didn't know you were that close to her to know what kind of guys she fancy."

"I'm trying to look out for her. She will be having a hectic life after University so I don't her to waste her time on unsuitable men."

"You sound as though her life is mapped out for her."

"Being the daughter of the Daidouji Corporation isn't easy. I'm lucky to lead a much simpler life than her."

"Wait... Daidouji as in that Daidouji? That mega toy company?"

Sakura nodded. "Of course."

Eriol was speechless for a moment before he broke out into laughter. "Goodness me, this is simply... too much for me to handle."

Sakura thought he was going mad. What she told him wasn't even funny. "What's with your reaction?"

"What's with my reaction?" Eriol asked, still in his laughing fits. "You surprise me every time. First you make my cousin act like a lovesick goon and then now this. Wonderful! Fabulous!"

Sakura snorted. "Sensei's hardly lovesick, given that he still remains in Hong Kong and out of my reach."

"You just don't know it yet. Oh man... I can't believe we didn't make that connection earlier."

"Okay... It's pretty obvious that you like switching topics and confusing people. Now... what connections?"

"Do you know what your mother's name is?"

The mention of her mother brought a sharp pang to her heart. "Of course I do. Her name is Nadeshiko-Kinomoto Nadeshiko."

"Before she married?"

"Before? She was Amamiya... What are you implying?"

"The name of Daidouji Tomoyo's mother was Amamiya Sonomi. You are all related by blood. Surprise!"

Sakura blinked hard before she let out a gasp when the news settled in her mind. "WHAT?"

Eriol nodded his head to assure Sakura that it was true. "Cousins! How wonderful! The Kinomotos are actually related to the Daidoujis!"

"It can't be true! We didn't know anything about this before!"

"Of course you didn't," Eriol said and picked up his drink again. "Who would want to be reminded of the big scandal of elopement?"

"No way..."

"Yes way. Now, you can check with Daidouji Sonomi if you still have doubts. I bet she will be surprised as well."

"This is total madness..." Sakura's eyes were wide with shock. "Tomoyo-chan and I are related..."

"Hey! Don't you dare to start crying! Syaoran will have my head if he thinks I made you cry."

"I'm not crying," Sakura said. Her sniffling contradicted her words. "I'm just too happy."

"Perhaps my head would be spared when he learns the truth... Please bless me with good luck."

"Just let him hit you senseless will you? Then perhaps we can really enjoy some peacefulness around here."

Eriol grinned and raised his glass to her in a mock salute. "Wicked thoughts."

Sakura dug her bag for her phone. When she saw Eriol looking on with curiosity, she said, "I'm sending 'nii-chan a message to let him know about Tomoyo-chan. I bet he will be happy to know it. Then I'll message Tomoyo-chan as well."

"That's how it works. At least the both of you have a family to go back to."

Sakura paused in the middle of typing her message. "You make it sound like you didn't have a family..."

"Ouch, straight to the point huh? Yeah... I'm the last of the Hiiragizawa and have been leeching on Syaoran for the past fifteen years or so."

"Oh! Um... I'm sorry... I didn't know..."

"It's not something that I usually advertise," Eriol replied. "But then again, Syaoran and the rest of his crazy family-I consider them mine as well. Okay enough about the slightly depressing topic. So, how do you plan to get Syaoran back to Japan?"

"Brute force."

Eriol choked on his drink. "I clearly did not expect that from you. Nicely done!"

"I still don't understand why he doesn't want to return to Japan." Sakura looked up when Eriol withdrew his cell phone from his suit. "Business call?"

"Nope," Eriol said. "I want you to remain absolutely silent throughout this phone call. Make no noise." Sakura nodded her head in understanding. Her brows raised in surprise when Eriol put the call on speaker.

"What the hell are you doing, calling me at this hour?" A familiar voice broke the silence.

"What a nice greeting," Eriol replied and gave Sakura a warning glance. "What's my favourite cousin doing?"

"At this time? Hoping you will materialize in front of me and let me hit you."

"How violent... I'm deeply hurt."

"Like I care... I'll put all the blame on you if my fever doesn't go down by morning. I have another meeting with the Board. Dull men..."

"Ah... Fever… Tell you what... You rest at home tomorrow. I'll attend the meeting on your behalf."

"Are you crazy? You won't make it in time. I appreciate the thought though. Just let me go to sleep."

"Cousin, just trust me. Have your well deserved rest tomorrow. I'm sure you need it." He sent a wink to Sakura.

There was a pause on the other line. "Where are you?"

"Hong Kong."

Syaoran groaned and Sakura understood how he felt. She felt the same way towards seeing Eriol as well. "Do I want to know what you are doing here?"

"Nope! But you'll know tomorrow. So take a break!"

"Fine, whatever. Just do your worst at the meeting tomorrow."

The call ended abruptly and Eriol chuckled. "He'll need to take an indefinite leave of absence from Hong Kong operations from tomorrow onwards, if you do what you came here to do."

"Only if I managed to convince him to come back with me."

"You will," Eriol said with a grin. "You definitely will."

To be continued

55 days since the last update. Well, at least it's a small improvement. I'm finding time to continue writing and I wrote most of this chapter on the train while commuting to and from work. Amazing isn't it? *laughs* I'm lucky to have a good sense of balance to be able to type on my phone while in a moving train. Next chapter will most probably be the last chapter, unless I write way too much and had to have a small epilogue. Then it will be months of absence while I draft out the new fanfic. I think I'd rather have everything ready and post one chapter a week, like I did at the beginning of this fanfic. Sounds good?