Disclaimer: I do not own these characters.
My last update to this story was 5 years ago. I'm ashamed to say that a lot of things have prevented me from updating. Aside from being busy with life, my old laptop that had the next few chapters of this book died on me. I took it as a sign to scrap it.
The first 5 chapters will be undergoing grammar and consistency edits, but the plot will remain the same. I'm adding time stamps, to make the POV clear. As much as I am changing my style, I also feel that I need to add something to make it stronger. I am making this update because I've been inspired re-reading the story.
Thank you for all the patience!
Summary: Love was not part of the plan. Eriol was not supposed to meet Tomoyo. Faith was cruel. Destiny was a bitch. No one can save them from a heartbreak except perhaps, each other. It would take a lifetime before Eriol is free to sweep his angel of her feet. They'll be together even if God doesn't want them to be.
Chapter: Keeping Friend. Making Friends.
June 2014, Tokyo University.
I sat alone at the courtyard cafeteria. Chiharu had a late class. Rika and Naoko are nowhere to be seen. I'm not the close to them so I don't bother looking for them.
My plan was to grab a quick lunch and head to the study hall. All too soon, my plan was broken by someone pulling the chair across from me. It was only when I looked up from my book did I see the Eriol Hiiragizawa took the empty chair.
"Hey, Daidouji. Mind if I sit?" He asked but he took the seat anyway.
"Don't you have friends, Hiiragizawa?" I asked him, with a playful annoyance in my voice.
"I do, don't you?" He countered raising an eyebrow at me. I just smiled, remember how helpful he was with calculus.
"Listen, I don't say this to everyone but you're good." I complemented him, remember his performance the other day.
"At what?" He said, a hint of playfulness in his voice.
"You know what, stop acting cocky. It's unbecoming of you." I replied. I got a loud laugh in response.
"Stop calling me Hiiragizawa, Daidouji. Frankly, it's a mouthful." He told me, while rummaging in his bag. He pulled out a wallet.
"Alrigh, Eriol. Tomoyo then. To be fair." I volunteered.
"To commemorate our friendship, I'll buy food for you." He said. His eyes waited for me to expectantly. I'm guessing for my choice of food.
Frankly, it's been a while since I got this kind of attention from anyone. Affection. Ever since I lost my mother to her sickness, and my dad and his fucked up problem. I only ever got attention from my girl-friends.
Eriol had that smile on him. He makes me feel like a girl. I wonder how would he react if he knew.
"I'd love dessert. Surprise me." I replied, he simply shook his head and left. This left me time to my thoughts.
I never shared my problems with my family to anyone. Some would count me lucky to be able to live a comfortable life, after all the Yamakawa Empire is big in Japan. I took on my mother's name surname when my father left us, but with all these happening, I had to play like a good heiress for my mother.
"Penny for your thoughts?" I heard Eriol say. I looked across and found he got Tendon and a strawberry shortcake. I eyed the cake. Eriol merely smiled and handed it to me.
"You need more than a penny. Thanks for this." I replied.
"How's your mom?" Our silence was broken by that question. I didn't let my expression waiver. I was afraid he's ask. He'd seen me in the hospital, with my dad as well.
"She's fine. Nakuru?" I countered, deciding to not let the question dwell on us. I think he didn't buy it but he didn't ask. I was thankful for him not prying.
"She's back to her usual self. Listen." He handed me his headphones, which I did not notice was hanging on his neck. I know he is distracting me, changing the subject from family. I know I don't show it when I feel uncomfortable when I talk about family, but he seems to see right through my facade.
I heard the piano, the melody kept me rooted. It was mesmerizing. I looked up at him. He was watching me despite his mouth full of rice and shrimp. He's waiting for me to say something.
"It sounds promising. Is this one of yours?" I asked, although it's obvious that it's his.
"Yeah, I just wanted your opinion." I was confused, why would I matter? I think the question surfaced on my face because he answered immediately.
"I started it when I saw you the first time. I don't know, it just made sense to let you hear it." Something was lodged in my throat after that confession. I know I'm blushing.
"That's flattering and stalker-like. I don't know what to think." I joked. He got the hint and chuckled.
"Tomoyo, what is it about you?" He smiled at me. My face was heating up. Eriol is a good-looking man, and I am not blind.
"There's nothing." I replied cheekily.
He merely chuckled at my response. He moved his plate and looked over at my books.
"Midterms?" He asked, again sensing my unusual habit of avoiding personal questions.
"It's a killer. What do you major in?" I honestly didn't know. I've been seeing him and I never asked. I don't want to ask my friends because frankly, I don't know what to answer if they asked about him.
"Management but minoring in music. I kind of have this stupid dream of becoming an artist and understand the business side of it. I don't want to be used for my talent." He confessed to me.
"That's weird, but from what I'm seeing I bet you'll do great." I complemented him. I was jealous of his freedom to choose what he wanted to do with his life. I had my path set, if I wanted to keep my mom.
He smirked at me. "Thank you for the complement. Want to head to the music room later?" I heard the sound of people rushing out. Most classes must be finished.
"Huh? You haven't had enough?" I questioned his sanity for talking to me when I refuse to give anything away.
"Yes, I know you can sing, Tomoyo. I bet you'd enjoy it." He told me.
"Singing with you?" I hesitated. I haven't sang in front of anyone in a while. I felt shy, like I could not compare.
"Yeah, I just need help with something. Do it as thanks for the cake and tutoring." He pointed out. I frowned.
"I thought we're friends that why I got cake." I pouted, forgetting my poise.
He grinned at me. "Finally, I am promoted to friend and not stalker."
I realized my mistake but held my ground. "You will always have that place in my heart. Besides you're asking me to meet you at night. Are you implying something?"
He stood up. "I'm glad I have a place in your heart. And if you're thinking it's a date, then sad to say, no." I scrunched my eyebrows together. I wasn't thinking of a date, but if I'm being honest I wondered about it. I like how I am with him.
He grabbed his backpack and swung one strap on his shoulder.
"I would ask you for a date, Tomoyo. You better be prepared when I do." He winked and left.
I know I'm blushing, the heat on my face says it all. Gone was the easily startled Eriol. He transformed, although I knew he's confident. A guy could not perform as well as him without knowing how to be at home with his personality.
When Chiharu arrived and noticed my face, she started prying. I made my escape to the library, though. I realized then that, Eriol forgot to mention the time. Sucks for him though, because I'll show up when I want to.
My last class ended at 6pm. I made my way to the music building. I told myself that since I had no way to contact him I will leave when he's not there. To my surprise, I saw him standing at the entrance.
"I knew, you wouldn't leave me hanging." Eriol said, jogging towards me. I rewarded him with a smile.
"You are still on thin ice." I told him. He merely bark out a laugh at me.
"Come on, princess. Let's head to the music room." He said while taking my hand in his.
I didn't miss the warmth it gave me. I looked to him, who was walking a little ahead. I could not help the smile that it gave me.
Once inside the music room, he gave me music sheets and sat on the piano. I raised my brows at him. Did he think I could read it? Wordlessy, he started playinig.
"I know, you can do this." He encouraged me. The melody felt familiar then I realized I knew the song. I opened my mouth to sing.
I've made up my mind
Don't need to think it over
If I'm wrong I am right
Don't need to look no further
This ain't lust
I know this is love but
I was amazed at how he played the piano so effortlessly, like he knew the song by heart. I marveled at him as the melody continued.
Should I give up
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere
Or would it be a waste?
Even If I knew my place should I leave it there?
Should I give up
Or should I just keep chasing pavements?
Even if it leads nowhere
My emotions got taken over by the song. What was Eriol doing to me? He was breaking down my walls. I've built them so high and so strong, but he was slowly chipping the cracks. I pushed forward.
"Your voice is beautiful." He told me. I looked at him wondering if I should be standing here with him. I'm broken. "Should I leave...Should I keep chasing..." The words of the song echoed in my head.
"Thank you. You just made me sing. I thought you needed my help." I asked.
He smiled at me from behind the piano.
"I just needed to hear you. Come here." He ordered me. I found my legs moving to him. I sat beside him on the bench. I let my hands drift towards the keys.
I realized that I like the sound of me hitting keys. I was mesmerized by the sound. I felt his eyes follow me. I looked up. I am suddenly locked into his gaze.
"What-" My voice was cut off by how deep his gaze. Whatever words that I wanted to say, I've forgotten. I leaned closer forward. I didn't know what I was doing. I wanted something from him.
He leaned towards me, our lips were a few inches apart. I could feel his breath on mine and all I could think about is "I want to kiss him." I was taken over by that feeling. I was surprised but his gaze on mine did not make me falter. If only I was drawn closer.
With an inch apart, Eriol took it upon himself to bridge our lips forward. Sparks could not describe what I'm feeling. It felt knew and exciting, yet familiar. This was meant to be.
His lips were gentle on mine. He was testing my reaction, waiting for me to return it. He was about to pull back when I placed my hands on the side of his shirt, pulling him closer. That was the encouragement he needed because his lips had a renewed fervor in them.
I pulled back slowly, unsure. Shyness took over me. I didn't know what to say.
"Tomoyo, I don't know what it is about you. You are my muse." He confessed to me. I blushed.
"I'm not sure if I'm used to you being a romantic, Eriol." I volunteered a truthful answer. That seems to make him chuckle.
"You know what I said about surprising you about tasking you out?" He asked. This made me remember our conversation during lunch time.
"What about that?" I did not like how I waited his response. I felt worry that he changed his mind.
"Chuck that on the ground. Tomoyo Daidouji, would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?" I was taken a back by his words.
"You sure move fast." I commented,delaying my answer. I was surprised by how much my body wanted to say yes. I did not understand what was happening to me, to us.
"I don't think I can stand competition with you." He said, as he rubbed his hands on my arms. I felt goosebumps follow his touch.
"You don't know me." I stated sadly. I was scared that once he finds out how much baggage I carry he will run from the hills.
"I have time to know you. If you let me." The sincerity in his voice made me want to cry. It's been a while since I let some one in. Could I do this with him?
"I'm confused." I stated. He chuckled at me. His hands move towards the piano.
Going back to the corner where I first saw you
Gonna camp in my sleeping bag I'm not gonna move
Got some words on cardboard, got your picture in my hand
Saying, "If you see this girl can you tell her where I am?"
I closed my eyes at sound of him playing. His words stopped only his hands pressing on the keys remained.
"I started this because of you. I'm not done though. I want to finish this with you." He told me. I felt something tug at my heart. It was a renewed sort of bravery.
"It sounds amazing." I complimented him. He smiled at my words. He waited patiently for my response.
"I have another one, but I'll save the for when I know what it is yet." He told me and I felt myself smiling at him. I asked myself if I could lift up and take this.
"Okay." I told him.
"What?" He said, surprised. I could only shake my head.
"You have now graduated to boyfriend, Eriol." I announced. He was astonished.
"I am?" He asked me, unsure.
"God, if you're going to be this confused, I will take it back." I teased.
"What? No, you can't take it back." He grew frantic, unlike his collected self. I wanted to laugh at how I caused this man to be not himself.
"Well, when can I expect my date then?" I asked playfully. I could try and I could do this. I just need to slowly place my hands forward. If I see any sign of him fleeing then it's easy to run and hide.
"Tomorrow is Saturday. I'll bring you home today. Pick you up tomorrow." He told me, standing up to usher me home.
"Hey, how sure are you that I don't have plans?" I pointed out. In truth, I didn't have any plans. I was only going to the hospital, which was the same as today.
"Do you?" He asked. Nervousness washed over him. I was still surprised at how much power I had over him and how much of himself he was showing me.
"I don't but I have somewhere to be today. Would you mind waking me to the station, boyfriend?" I asked him gently.
"I would not and you will never have to walk alone at night again." He said.
I wanted to tell him that I don't walk alone all the time that cars picked me up to take me to work. Today I don't need it though, because I'm allowed to be a child.
I was still going to struggle with my own emotions, though. For him, for my family and for this mess.
"I'll take your word for it." I told him. He grasped by hand. We walked together at the station.
"Since you won't let me stalk you too your place, would you mind telling me where I could get you?" Eriol asked me.
"Can you get me at Yotsuya-sanchome station?" I told him.
"Is that the station closest to you, princess?" I wanted to swoon at his words, but I refrained.
"It is, but you don't need to come out of the exits." I told him. A realization came to me.
"You are now a world class stalker." I commented.
"This is not over." He told me.
We arrived at the station. I let go of his hand to say good-bye.
"You not heading back yet?" I asked him.
"Actually, I have band practice. I forgot." He said. That made me laugh again. He was acting silly.
"You're whipped." I teased.
"Can't argue with that." He told me.
I didn't want to leave him yet, but I decided that visiting my mother would be best. I stepped forward to enter.
Once I was inside, I looked back to see him watching me. I felt warmth all over at knowing he's watching me get out safely. He waved at me. I smiled and shook my head.
On the train, I felt my phone vibrate. I grabbed it, only to see a message from him.
Be safe, let me know when you reach the hospital.
I was surprised that he knew, but he probably pieced it together when we met in the hospital before. I typed my response quickly.
I will. Good luck with practice.
I expected him not to reply for a while but he did.
I have you as my lucky charm.
The words made me want to blush, but I refrained. I was alone on a train.
You're a sweet talker.
I expected him not to reply. I didn't feel my phone. He probably started practice already. It took me 45 minutes to arrive at the hospital. As I walked the halls, I felt my emotions at bay. I didn;t know if it was because of Eriol or what.
When I opened the door to my mother's room, she was awake and waiting for me. A smile graced her lips.
"You seem happy, dear." She commented at my appearance. I did feel lighter. Better than I felt in years.
"I am, mom. How are you feeling?" Instead of answering me, she turned my question to me.
"Not today, tell me about you. Something interesting happened I can feel it." I sighed. My mo could read me like a book if she wanted to.
I sat down beside her, prepared to tell him about Eriol, how we met and how we came to be.
Hello again! I felt the need to update and push the relationship forward. As a reminder, I am doing edits to previous chapters and will be updating more often. I want to finish this book as soon as I can.