29

I haven't seen Syaoran's mom, Li Ierán, since we were in seventh grade. For what I remember, and for what I recall (thanks to her flower shop, and all those times I've seen her work in her bouquets), I know she's a lady in every sense of the word. She's tall, skinny, long deep black hair, with sharp eyes. Her skin is as white as snow, her lips are red as blood, and her manners (the way she takes the flowers and places them on the vases, fixing every small detail), and way she politely treats every single one of her clients, make me think of a woman from traditional China.

The worst of it all, is that's exactly the way I remember things were in Tomoyo's house. Her mother, Sonomi Daidouji, was also a lady that had the manners and looks of the feudal Japan. I know they still held the tea ceremony, and even hire geishas to entertain their guests. I also remember Tomoyo's mom used to relax by doing bamboo arrangements, just as Li's mom does bouquets at her flower shop.

All of this just doesn't help me to know what to expect from this dinner. I mean, Ms. Li already knows me, but she has never done so with the title of "girlfriend of the youngest, only male and heir of the Li Dinasty" (or something like that, according to Syaoran). The only one that held that title was Tomoyo, and I'm nothing like her. I don't hold tea ceremonies, I don't make bamboo arrangements, and I know nothing about geishas. I'm actually too modern: I love scrapbooks, to binge watch NatGeo, and I adore to bake; not even traditional Japanese desserts, I bake cakes and cupcakes. I know nothing about making mochi, melonpan, dangos or even takoyaki.

Once again, I'm running back and forth from my closet to Rika's, looking for something to wear. Syaoran dropped me home when we came back from our trip to Hakone, and has told me he'll be back at six to pick me up for dinner at his place. I barely had time to place my akizakura bouquet in a vase with some water to keep them fresh, and take a shower. It's already five forty-five and I got no idea what to wear.

"Misaki!" Yes, I'm desperate enough to ask my nine-year old sister.

In the end, we both decide for a pink sleeveless dress, with a fluffy skirt, that came from my closet. From Rika's we took a black puffy sleeve jacket. Misaki lends me a black with pink bow ballerinas from her own closet (so lucky my feet are small, and hers are huge), so after doing my hair and putting a bit of cherry lip gloss, I'm ready just in time.

It's almost seven o'clock, and I'm sitting between Syaoran's sisters (Fuutie and Shiefa at my right, and Fanren and Feimei at my left), and everything feels so surreal. I mean, yeah the Li household looks like it came out of a Chinese postcard (according to Syaoran the layout is called Siheyuan), that has a gorgeous inside garden right in the middle, and even has a tiny lake that is the home of a koi family, but besides that, there's nothing traditional (neither Chinese, nor Japanese) in this table.

Fuutie and Shiefa, whom had already graduated from college (one studied at America, and the other one in Spain), were the ones in charge to make dinner, so in our plates there's served a bit of paella, Spanish tortilla, mini burgers, and New York style pizza. It sounds like a weird mix, but it's all so good, and the conversation flows so naturally, that I can't stop eating, despite already feeling full.

Fanren and Feimei want to know everything about me. They both scream like crazy when I tell them I have two sisters, and I'm the one in the middle. Both of them, studying in Tokyo University, are to graduate next year, and can't believe when I tell them Rika left to study at Scotland. They also ask me to introduce them to Misaki. It seems they just love little children. I find it funny when they tell me they still see Syaoran as a baby, but due respect (he's the only boy at the table) I don't laugh out loud.

Ms. Li asks me about my father, and how's he managing everything by himself. I guess Syaoran must have told her about my mom's passing, or maybe she just knows it, so after I tell her me and my sisters are determined to make things easier for him, she also shares with us how hard it was for her to take care of five kids on her own. Although she basically just has to take care of Syaoran, since Fuutie and Shiefa live on their own, and Fanren and Feimei are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves.

When we're done with dinner, Ms. Li invites us to have some tea. But it's quite late, and since I've been out all day, I think it's the best for me to go back home. Syaoran offers me a ride, so I say goodbye to the five ladies, and get in the car.

"My mom likes you, a lot." Syaoran said as he parked his car in front of my house.

I can't help but blush. Knowing Ms. Li likes me, despite the high standards she must have had because of Tomoyo, makes me feel proud of myself. However, I also can't feel fully happy. Maybe it's the fact I still keep thinking of Tomoyo; even when Syaoran hasn't said her name, I can't stop thinking about her. I think I need to stop comparing myself with Daidouji.

Daidouji's not here, it's been days since Sayoran has said her name, but I feel as if she's here somewhere.

It's so weird.

My little Sakura-chan feeling so insecure :'c

Have a nice week start!

Ribo~