Chapter 51: The Third Wish
**********************************************
More than a year ago, the Chang twins transferred to Seijou Junior High
class 2-1 to carry out their ancestor’s revenge, their alter egos being the
“Dark Ones.” Kinomoto Sakura, the Card Mistress chosen by Clow Reed, was once
again thrown into a hurdle of attacks, awakening in her the new power to seal
dark forces into Sakura Cards. Meanwhile, Li Syaoran who had returned to
Soon, the two discovered glimpses of the past that were unexpected and
at times shocking, such as the ambiguous relationship between Li Ryuuren,
Syaoran’s father and Amamiya Nadeshiko, Sakura’s mother. Simultaneously, the
attacks from the “Dark One” increased in number and intensity, while Sakura and
Syaoran had to relearn how to trust each other and most importantly, believe in
their own strengths. Despite his uncle’s warning to stay away from Sakura
resulting in his initial brusqueness towards her, Syaoran slowly began to
realize for the first time that there were matters of more importance to him
than Clan honor. From the whirlpool of events ranging from the camping trip, the
New York adventure, staying together in Syaoran’s apartment, summer vacation on
the run in Tokyo, the Best Couple Contest, the Star-Crossed Production and the
many events in between, the arguments and the laughter, the bond between the
two strengthened as they became more truthful about their feelings regarding
each other.
What began as a simple matter of defeating the Dark Ones became more
complicated as more and more people got involved. Old friends were there as
always. Kero-chan and Yue remained Sakura’s faithful guardians, ready to
protect their mistress at any moment. Daidouji Tomoyo was exhilarated by more
opportunities to videotape her cousin and best friend, and make Sakura, and
anyone else who would endure it, new battle outfits. Initially intending
mischief when she returned to Japan after Syaoran, Li Meilin, still struggling
with her longtime affection for her childhood fiancé Syaoran, gradually began
to mature by the time she returned to
New acquaintances were made also. With the trip to
Chang Eron and Erika sometimes were puzzled
by Sakura’s easing going attitude towards them. For though they were the “Dark
Ones,” and their true identity was not exactly a secret, they might have opened
up to their sworn enemies more than they had ever expected to. Recently in the
ski trip, the two realized that in the end, there may be forces even greater
and deeper than their ancestor’s vengeance call.
One dark and sinister winter’s
night, not long after the junior high ski trip, Chang Eron leaned over the
banister of his balcony, the bitter cold biting through his thin cotton shirt,
reflecting upon the past year. In the past year and a half, he had participated
in a violin concert, a trip to
If he could stall for just a little
longer. But even as he opened his eyes again to the bleak night, the wind
whispered in his ears, “Time is running out. Choose, Chang Eron.”
Eron crumpled on his knees, still
clasping the banister, his knuckles turning white. “I can’t.”
“You
must. It is now time,” came the deadly chill voice.
“I refuse to,” he gasped, clutching
his hands over his ears, unable to block out the menacing Voice.
“You
cannot disobey, Chang Eron.”
“I am not your puppet!” Eron shouted
out loud. His heart beat so rapidly, that he felt as if a hand was squeezing
it. Eron dragged himself up again and staggered back to his room. “I will… I
will make her mine. Then, then I’ll figure something out.”
******
Sakura propped her head on her chin and
stared out at the barren trees outside the hospital window. Working at the
hospital had at first seemed like a tedious obligation after joining the
journalism club, but now it had become a part of her weekly routine. She was
taking a break in the middle of her usual chores; she wondered if Syaoran was
at the hospital yet. They haven’t had a chance to talk since the ski trip, him
being busy with soccer practice and his after-school job. Or maybe he was
deliberately avoiding her. You never could tell with him.
“Sakura, there you are,” Yukito said,
bursting into the linen room. “I need you to come with me for a second.”
“What is it, Yukito-san?” Sakura asked,
troubled by the worried look on Yukito’s usually relaxed face. She also liked
working at the hospital because it provided a chance to see Yukito on a regular
basis; the long feeling of ardor had faded into a warmness and sense of
familiarity. Being near Yukito always made her feel calm.
“It’s Subaru. He’s been giving the nurses
some trouble again.” Yukiyo sighed. Whether at the orphanage or in the
hospital, the boy was always ready to cause a ruckus.
Subaru had been hospitalized since before
Christmas. It was no surprise that he was restless. There were only few people
that could handle the seven-year-old boy’s tantrums. If Syaoran or Kai were
around, Subaru usually listened to them. He had a tendency to listen to Touya
as well, but children tended to obey the ogre-‘nii-sama, as he was labeled at
the hospital. Yet, most of the nurses were helpless when Subaru began to yell
at the top of his voice. And he also unsettled the other children in the children’s
ward, which usually lead to chaos and tantrum throwing contest.
Even down the corridor leading to the
children’s ward, Sakura could already hear echoes of Subaru’s yelling. Some
other children were bawling as well. She rushed into the room to the end bed
which was surrounded by a group of flustered nurses.
“Sakura-chan, thank goodness you’re here,”
said the head nurse. “Do you think you can handle things?”
“I’ll talk to Subaru—can you leave us
alone?” Sakura said, smiling sympathetically at the nurses who filed out of the
room in relief. Yukito went around to the other children, who stopped crying as
they looked up to see Yukito’s reassuring smile. Without surprise, Yukito was a
favorite among the children and nurses alike.
Meanwhile, Subaru had stopped yelling and
glared up at Sakura ferociously, or at least as ferocious as he could muster.
Though he had never been well fed at the orphanage, he had lost considerable
weight over the past weeks. His eyes were hollow and his skin had lost all of
its healthy tan. A gray knit hat covered his head—he had lost all his thick
brown hair as a side effect of chemotherapy. Sakura and Tomoyo had knit little
caps of varying colors for Subaru, most of which the boy had thrown out the
window in his last tantrum. Sakura’s heart ached at the mere sight of him, for
she knew how active and lively he usually was; he loved to run around outside,
and was full of mischief and laughter. It was no wonder he was cranky, being
cooped up indoors the entire winter. She asked gently, “Su-chan, what’s the
matter?”
“Sakura-nee-chan,” he said in a broken
voice, hoarse from all the yelling. “Sakura-nee-chan, get me out of here. I
want to leave here. Why do I have to stay in bed all the time? I want to go
back. Even to that orphanage. I miss Mai-chan, and Ken-kun, and Riku and
Nozomi-sensei…”
“I’m sorry Su-chan,” Sakura whispered,
hugging Subaru tightly. “I’m sorry, but you have to stay here a little longer.
Be a brave boy, okay?”
“Why?” demanded Subaru, pushing Sakura
away. “I’m sick of the hospital. I’m bored. And the food sucks.”
“I promise I’ll take you out for pizza and
ice cream next time the doctor allows you to have a break,” Sakura said,
wondering when next time will be.
“Really?” Subaru asked.
“Of course,” Sakura said. “We can go to the
aquarium this time.”
“With Syaoran-nii-chan too?”
“With Syaoran-nii-chan too.” Sakura smiled,
patting Subaru’s head. Syaoran probably would not like the idea. He would ask
what fun there is staring at a bunch of fish in glass cases. Yet, though
Syaoran would grumble, he would follow along anyway. “And look what ‘nee-chan
brought you.” She took out picture books that Touya had read to her when she
was little.
“I’m too old for fairytales,” Subaru
stated, crossing his arms.
“No one’s too old for fairytales. I used to
read them to Syaoran-nii-chan too,” Sakura replied. Syaoran would probably
chuck her with a cushion should she try to read him a fairytale. That was the
problem with him. He never had anyone read him a nice fairytale when he was
little—he spent all his time training. No wonder he turned into such a grouchy,
ill-tempered boy.
Subaru eyed her suspiciously. “Then, can
you read them to me?”
“Which one should I read?” Sakura said,
showing him the selection and secretly sighing in relief. For now, it would be
okay. Yet, she couldn’t always be at the hospital for Subaru.
“None with princesses and silly dresses and
stuff. How about one with a knight who fights dragons?” Subaru crossed his
arms, tilting his head up expectantly.
“I think you’ll like this one then,” Sakura
said, selecting a dog-eared book, a book her brother read her frequently when
she was a child.
On another wing of the hospital, Yukito
found Touya working late hours at the office, sorting through patient’s
computer data. “I thought you can go home for today,” Yukito commented.
Without turning around, Touya saved the
data. “I had some work to finish up,” he said. He swiveled around on the
wheeled chair and looked at Yukito, who looked weary. “How’s Sakura holding
up?”
“She’s fine,” Yukito replied. “She’s a big
girl now, you know. You don’t have to worry about her so much anymore.” But
even he couldn’t help being concerned, because he knew better than anyone the
generosity of the girl’s heart. Subaru’s brain tumor was at stage four, in the
malignant stage.
“That kid does things that make me worry
about her.” Touya yawned and stretched. “Even when she is married, I’ll still
worry about her.”
“I don’t think you’ll ever let her
marry—you’ll probably eat alive the husband,” Yukito muttered.
Sakura left the hospital exhausted that
night. Subaru was finally asleep, after she had fed him a meager dinner, most
of which ended up back on his tray. It was long past her regular shift hours
when she walked out of the hospital. To her surprise, her brother was waiting
for her. “Onii-chan! What are you doing here?”
“I’m released for today—otou-san’s on his
way home too,” Touya said, taking Sakura’s book bag.
“Arigato ‘nii-chan.” Sakura took her
brother’s arm, and Touya ruffled her hair with a rueful smile.
It was a rare these days that all the
Kinomoto’s were gathered for dinner. A picture of Nadeshiko in a yellow-green
chiffon dress was inserted in the photo frame on the kitchen table. Fujitaka was
puzzled to see his two children so quiet and pensive.
“Sakura-san, is something worrying you?”
Fujitaka asked, pouring another ladle of chicken curry over Sakura’s plate of
rice.
“I was just wondering, how curable is
cancer?” Sakura said, poking at the carrots with her spoon. Maybe because she
had chopped up the vegetables, they were uneven. Almost nostalgically, for a
moment, she recalled that when she was living with Syaoran, the vegetables were
always chopped up meticulously.
Her father looked grave for a second. “It
depends on the type of cancer and how early it’s found and treated. With the
advancement of medical technology, there are many options these days such as
chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Yet, each case is individual, as is
with any disease.”
“Onii-chan, you must know what’s happening
with Subaru,” Sakura said, setting down her spoon and looking up at her brother
who had been silent through the meal.
“What about him?” Touya asked, still not
looking at her.
“He doesn’t seem to be improving at all.”
Sakura frowned, for she knew the tone her brother took when he wanted to hide
something from her. “Why isn’t he getting surgery?”
Touya heaved a sigh, nostalgic of days when
Sakura took his word as supreme authority. “Sakura, think about it. It’s not
even a matter of getting surgery or not.”
”Then what is it?” Sakura demanded. “Su-chan’s life is at risk. Why isn’t
anyone helping him?”
“It costs a lot of money to be
hospitalized. And it costs even more money to get a surgery. Subaru’s an
orphan—he has no parents, no relatives who can support him. He doesn’t have
health insurance. And the orphanage certainly does not have the money to
support his surgery,” Touya stated. “The doctors are not going to operate on a
child that cannot pay for his surgery.”
”But there must be a way.” Sakura furrowed her brows down. “We’ll find a way to
pay later—doesn’t he need to get a surgery right away, before things get worse
for him?”
“I told you, it’s not even a matter of
money anymore. Even if Subaru gets a surgery, chance of success is very low.
The tumor is in the final stage and is located in a spot that will be hard to
reach in surgery. There is no point in getting a surgery with high risk, that
is not even affordable in the first place.”
“But Yukito-san said that both chemotherapy
and radiotherapy is not working out well for him. How is Subaru’s illness going
to be treated then?” Sakura demanded. She pushed her chair back—she had lost
her appetite.
“We’ll see,” Touya said. He didn’t want to
mention that time was running out. That all was futile, that there was nothing
that anyone can do to save Subaru. Brain tumor was the most common type of
cancer in children, and in many cases fatal. It was a pity when an illness hit
someone so young, one of the unfair, cruel twists of nature. Yet, when had life
ever been fair?
“There’s something wrong with a hospital
that has a patient and does not treat him,” Sakura stated, before standing up
and bowing her head. “If you’ll excuse me, otou-san, I have a test to study
for.” Then, she stomped off to her room.
Touya and his father exchanged quizzical
glances. \
******
Now that the long-anticipated winter trip
had passed by, there was nothing much to look forward to school. Less than three
months remained till the third years moved on to high school. Nobody seemed to
care about classes anymore, and there was a sense of restlessness and student
attendance dwindled with increased cases of flu and end of school year nervous
breakdowns. With the cold weather, there was little incentive to wake up early
in the morning and go to school. In class, half the students were sniffling or
coughing and the other half were drowsy and unmotivated. Sakura, too, wished
the dreary winter would end, as she blocked out the monotonous hum of the
history teacher’s voice.
“While the first outbreak of a pandemic
traced to be caused by the bubonic plague happened in the 500’s A.D. in the Age
of the Justinian, we are most familiar with the outbreak of the plague in the
1340s that eventually wiped out more than half the population of
Sakura frowned. The 1850’s had been the era
of the Great Ones. She could not help recalling the images the Fates had shown
her in the Mirror of Truth of France in the Middle Ages, in the midst of the
Black Death—it had been a terrifying experience.
When class ended, Naoko spread out the
photos on her desk. “Look at the pictures I developed from the ski trip!”
Chiharu, Takashi and Rika gathered around her. “This is from the ski
competition—look, here’s Tomoyo-chan crossing finish before Hiiragizawa-kun.
And Mizuki-kun turning a flip midair in the snowboard competition. Aki-kun on
his face—you can’t tell it’s him because only his skis are sticking up. Oh, and
doesn’t Eron-kun look handsome standing next to the tree? Sakura-chan, here’s a
good shot of you and Li-kun. You look like a couple!” Naoko blinked expectantly
at Sakura—she wondered when the two would give up being stubborn and officially
start dating each other.
Sakura turned over from her desk and
glanced at the pictures with a smile. Leaning her chin against her folded arms,
she glanced over to Eron’s long blue-black hair tied back in a simple tie. He
had not spoken to her since the ski trip. Lately, he had dark circles under his
eyes; it bemused her that someone as handsome as Eron could look tired and
cranky. But she could not help recalling Eron’s words during the ski trip. Life becomes sweeter when I see it in your
eyes, he had said to her. Truthfully, those words haunted her, because she
couldn’t deny that deep in her heart, something had stirred. She didn’t like
Eron in any special way, but still, when he stared at her with those desperate
eyes, she couldn’t say that she felt nothing. If he had come into her life
earlier, if the circumstances were different, if Syaoran had not returned, she
did not know what would have happened. What really had he meant
when he asked, Do I really stand no
chance?
Sometimes, she had a feeling that Eron was amused by her. But
sometimes, she sensed that he desperately wanted to say something to her, and
was giving her the signals to reach out to him and help him out of his agony.
Seeing Subaru somehow reminded her of Eron, for she could not help remembering
that at one point, Eron was an orphan with only his sister in the world to
love.
As if he could read her mind, Eron walked steadily over to her. She
tried not to look up, thinking that if she ignored him, he’d go away, but he
was already standing before her and called her name in his low, crisp voice.
For a second, Sakura stared at her textbook, the numbers and figures
blurring in front of her eyes. Just go away, Eron, I have nothing I want to
say to you.
“Sakura,” he repeated impatiently.
Finally, Sakura took a deep breath and looked up at Eron. He stared
down at her almost bemused, but too grim to smile. She confirmed that it was
true that Eron was either losing weight or sleep, or both. His skin had lost
its pallor and was tinged yellow, almost as if he was sickly. They were both
aware that even though it was break, the attention of the class was on them.
From the opposite corner of the classroom, Erika watched her brother warily,
while from behind Sakura’s seat, Syaoran, who had been napping with earphones
on, surreptitiously turned off his music and had one eye open, covered under
his thick bangs. Tomoyo merely continued to knit.
Sakura looked up at Eron, signally telepathically that she did not
desire to talk with him at all.
Sighing, Eron said, “Meet me after school, at
Nodding, Sakura returned to being absorbed in her homework assignment,
watching Eron trod away with heavy steps out of the corner of her eyes. She
could not tell if he was limping slightly, or if he was merely very weary. She
dropped her eraser on the ground, giving her and excuse to pick it up and in
the meanwhile take a peak at Syaoran—he was sleeping with his music on. Fine then, I’ll go see Eron and hear what he has to
say then, and it’ll be none of your business!
The rest of the day, Sakura was distracted, wondering what Eron had to
say to her. Most of her friends let her be—they were used to her being spacey
from time to time.
Winter days were short and the crimson sun was low as Sakura sat on the
swing set, swaying back and fro. The metal chain was cold against her bare
hands. Eron was late—she hadn’t been anticipating that. It irritated her that
he called her out and kept her waiting. She was about to leave when he appeared
in front of her, as if a ghost emerging from the dusk’s fog.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t show up,” commented Eron, walking slowly up
to her, hands shoved in his coat pocket, quite different from his usual cocky
self.
Sakura slipped off the swings and fiddled with her scarf fringe, not
knowing how to approach him.
Sparing her the agony of awkward silence, Eron cut straight to the
point. “Have you considered what I said?”
“What do you mean?” Her voice came out in a squeak—she hated it when
people played word games with her.
If Sakura was feigning dumbness, Eron ignored it. “At the ski resort. I
asked you if you really won’t give me a chance.”
“I’m not quite sure if I understand, Eron-kun,” Sakura said, staring at
the ground, wishing Eron would take the hint.
“But you do, Sakura,” Eron replied sharply, if not tactlessly. “I’m not
going to hide anything, anymore. I’m laying my feelings out for you as
straightforwardly as possible. I like you, and I need an immediate answer. You
need to stop me from doing something really stupid, because if you refuse me, I
don’t know what I’ll do.”
If she had been less absorbed in how to formulate a response, she might
have heard the hint of desperateness in his plea. Instead, a dumbfounded Sakura
slowly asked, “What words do you want to hear from me now? I don’t know if
you’re threatening me or asking a question, but can’t you at least give me some
time to think it over?” Come to think of it, it was the first time in her three
years of junior high that someone had confessed to her, if this could be called
a confession. If she was an average teenager, would this have been a more
giddy, carefree moment? After all, the person standing in from of her was Chang
Eron, handsome, charming and smart. Yet, she also knew his other side, the
loathing anger within him, the obsessive and loving brother, the unpredictable
strain of madness.
“I did give you time. And time’s running out. I need an answer right
away,” Eron replied flatly.
Sakura looked up at Eron’s face, shadowed by the tree branches. She
felt more cornered than anything else. Did he truly like her, or was he playing
with her in another one of his games again? But if it was a game, she seriously
had no idea where it was leading to. “Eron-kun, I want to trust you but…”
“Why do you have to always listen to Li Syaoran? Because he told you to be
careful of me? Can’t you make your own judgment?” Eron’s eyes gleamed in the
setting sun a blazing orange.
“How can I trust you after everything?” Sakura asked, knowing the
weakness of her argument.
“Because you’re the one person who can, even after all I’ve done.
Because you’re different from any other girl. You’re the one that I chose,” Eron
said. He smirked in spite of himself. “Or more like, fate has chosen for me.
I’m not stupid. I’m not sacrificing my pride here for no reason. You know me
well enough. You know I won’t do this if I wasn’t serious. It’s against all my
principles.”
I can’t listen
to his words, Sakura thought. Eron could charm anyone with
his glib tongue, and if she listened, she would fall under his spell. She had
to trust her instincts. “I’m sorry Eron-kun. I really am. I can’t return your
feelings. I like someone else, so…”
“It doesn’t matter. Sooner or later, you’ll end up coming to me,” Eron
replied matter of fact, as if he had already known the answer and did not care.
Something inside Sakura clicked. Why
is he so confident? What makes him think that he can possess me? Has he ever
respected my opinions? “No,” she said slowly.
“What did you say?” Eron blinked, as if gazing upon an obstinate child.
“I said, never. My heart is my own, and I can’t ever like you, Chang
Eron,” Sakura stated, shedding her last sense of hesitancy.
He grabbed her by the wrist as she tried to turn away from him. “Listen
to me, Sakura. You’ll regret it later. Just say yes to me. It’s okay if you
like Syaoran. It’s okay if you don’t trust me now. It’s okay if you don’t love
me. Just say that you’ll be there for me and only me, and I swear I’ll make
everything work out.”
“Eron, Let go of me.” Sakura reproached herself for putting herself in
a vulnerable situation yet again. She tried to yank out her hand. Why she
continued to be drawn to Eron, when she clearly knew him to be dangerous, she
did not know.
“I warned you, Sakura. I warned you,” Eron said, letting go of her
abruptly, sending her stumbling back.
“I don’t care!” Sakura replied, her eyes stinging with tears of
indignation. But she would never cry in front of Eron. Yet, if it was a matter
of pride, why did she have this prickling sensation in her chest, as if she had
just let go of her balloon string and regretted it.
No. He had not been joking; his air was neither smug nor spiteful, like
Erika might have been were she issuing the warning. Instead, Eron’s golden eyes
were sorrowful, his voice level but strangely strained as he said, “Don’t
reproach me later, Sakura. I swear you’ll regret it later on. But remember, you
made the choice.” Eron turned around and walked away.
Sakura’s knees crumbled and she sank down onto the ground, catching her
breath. For a wild instant, she wanted to call out to Eron and apologize. For
what, she did not know. Something had changed in Eron’s eyes, and she was very
afraid of this suddenly calm demeanor, as if Eron had suddenly lost the will to
fight. It was more frightening than all the empty threats he could make, all
the cruel words he could say, all the dark forces he would send her way. If only
she called out at that moment his name, just one more time, she knew not what
difference it would have made. But he walked on slowly down the road without
turning, in defeat.
******
For hours afterwards, the image of Eron walking away down the road leading
away from
“Sakura-chan, what is the matter? You looked anxious,” Tomoyo commented
the first break they had after homeroom.
For a second, Sakura blinked, not realizing that anxiety was written
all over her face. “Tomoyo-chan, Tomoyo-chan, what should I do?” Sakura asked
slowly. “I’m so frightened.”
“Of what, Sakura-chan?” Tomoyo asked, stroking her friend’s shoulder.
“Of what Eron-kun might do. He said I’ll regret it later,” Sakura
crumpled her woolen gloves in her hands.
“What can he possibly do?” Tomoyo knew Sakura had not even been scared
when Yue’s Judgment nor Clow Reed’s reincarnation, but what about Eron
frightened her so?
Sakura shook her head. “I do know the worst he can do, that’s why I’m
so scared. Maybe I should have just agreed with him.”
“Sakura-chan, you can’t just humor him because he threatened you,”
Tomoyo said. “You don’t love him. You like someone else.”
“That’s not it. He wasn’t asking me out or anything, I don’t think. I
think he was asking something more. I don’t know what. But I can’t be with him.
He makes me nervous, because I feel like if I anger him, he’ll find away to get
back at someone; he doesn’t consider others at all. I want to trust him, but I
know in some matters, he barely has control over the will of the Dark Ones.”
“Well, you can’t be nice to him because you pity him, either,” Tomoyo
murmured.
“I don’t pity Eron-kun,” Sakura replied. “That’ll be very arrogant of
me to. After all, despite all he’s done, Eron-kun also has many admirable
qualities.”
“Well, do you like him then?”
“I don’t know. Sometimes I really like him, and sometimes I really am
afraid of him. I think I can grow to like him if I knew that somehow that will
solve all of this. But I don’t really know where this relationship is going,
because his hatred of Amamiya’s and Li’s is routed too deeply for me to
comprehend.”
“What about Syaoran?” Tomoyo peeked at Sakura’s expression through her
bangs.
“Truthfully, I see no future for us, as long as the Dark Ones continue
looming in the shadows,” Sakura answered softly. “Tomoyo, why is it so
difficult for two people to just like each other?”
Looking at Sakura with soulful violet eyes, Tomoyo shook her head. Why did
it have to be so hard for two people to be together? Sakura liked Syaoran, and Syaoran
liked Sakura, and they both knew that. Hopefully they did. Yet, they could
never move on with their relationship so long as the enemy existed, so long as
they were copartners in fighting a dark force. Because personal relationship
and business could not mix. No, more because they both knew there would be no
future for them if they did not fix the present. Tomoyo twisted the end of her
long curl around a finger. Or maybe they were simply afraid of shattering what
bond they had now, because it had taken so long to build. “Did you tell him
about what happened between you and Eron?”
Sakura stared at her friend blatantly. “How can I?”
That was right. There was no telling what Syaoran might do to Eron if
he found out. Heaven knew how Syaoran had reacted when he found out that Eron
had dared to bruise Sakura. Though Tomoyo was partial to Syaoran, she secretly
did harbor empathy for Eron. She understood what it must be like to be in
Eron’s position. “Well, there’s nothing to do but wait and see what Eron does.
But I think Syaoran needs some warning too.” Tomoyo had a feeling that Syaoran
already suspected, however.
“I guess you’re right, Tomoyo-chan.” Sakura sighed—thankfully her
friend always kept a level head.
Only later on in the afternoon was Syaoran was able to corner Tomoyo in
the music room. “So, what did that bastard say to Sakura?”
“Don’t you have soccer practice, Syaoran-kun?” Tomoyo asked, gathering
the music sheets from the piano.
“She did tell you, didn’t she?” Syaoran tailed after Tomoyo.
“Why don’t you ask her yourself what Eron-kun said to her?” Tomoyo
smiled politely. “I have to go to choir practice. You’re fifteen minutes late
for soccer practice. Anyone who’s late gets ten laps around the field,
remember? It’s your own rule as captain.”
“I can’t ask her!” Syaoran retorted.
“Well, maybe you can ask Eron then,” Tomoyo suggested.
“I would if he had the courage to show up to school.” Swinging around
the piano, Syaoran exclaimed to Tomoyo, “I know! She must have dumped him. He
must be in a slump right now because his pride is hurt.”
Since he looked so awfully pleased with his deduction, Tomoyo let him
be, gently pushing him out of the music room. What could she do with such a
silly couple? If only her two best friends could become a little more honest
with each other.
*****
That afternoon at
“What a hassle, and we have a game coming up,” Syaoran muttered,
bouncing a soccer ball on his knee as Sakura and he waited for the bus to come.
“And that Kai—he’s supposed to be our manager. If he shows his face…”
“So, you’re still keeping up as captain?” Sakura asked rather bitterly.
The two were waiting for the bus to take them to Kinhoshi hospital after
school. They had to fill in Eron, Erika, Miho, and Kai’s shifts. It was the
first time Sakura had time alone with Syaoran in a while, yet he seemed to be
more absorbed in his soccer ball than her.
He shifted the ball to his other knee. “Can’t lose the Junior
Championship Cup, can we?” As the bus drove up to the stop, Syaoran kicked up
the ball and caught it with one hand, tossing it into his duffel bag.
“Well, I guess you’re not curious about what Eron had to say to me?”
Sakura asked, watching the bus door swing open.
“Not particularly,” Syaoran replied shortly.
“Good, because I didn’t plan on telling you anyway,” Sakura stated,
stomping up onto the bus. What was wrong with Syaoran, getting angry that she
did meet with Eron and then not caring at all when something important did
happen?
Sakura had been permanently assigned to the children’s ward, partially
because of Yukito’s request and partially because she was the only one who
could appease Subaru now. “How come you get to work with Tsukishiro-san, while
I’m stuck following around that grouchy intern (by the name of Kinomoto
Touya),” Syaoran had grumbled.
Trying to retain a smile, she went from bed to bed, making sure each
child did not need anything. She picked up various stuffed animals and picture
books off the floor. Most of the children had parents, siblings and relatives
constantly visiting. Only Subaru’s bedside always remained empty. He had long
since grown tired of all her picture books; since he insisted he was too old
for toys, Sakura was running out of ideas to entertain him. Even now, he stared
listlessly out the window.
“Sakura,” Syaoran called from the doorway.
Sakura turned around and almost smiled when she saw who called her.
Then she stared down at her feet, waiting for him to walk up to her.
“The doctor wanted to give Subaru’s charts to Tsukishiro-san.” Syaoran
handed her the charts.
“Is that all?” Sakura asked, taking the papers. “Won’t you say hello to
Su-chan?”
Syaoran looked like he was about to refuse, but Subaru spotted him
first and waved. So, Syaoran awkwardly walked over to the boy’s bed. “Hey,
kid.”
“Syaoran-nii-chan,” Subaru said, faintly grinning. “Do you know what
happens to the little mermaid?”
“Doesn’t she marry the prince or something?” Syaoran looked up at
Sakura quizzically.
“No, she can’t kill the prince to save her own life. So she jumps into
the ocean and becomes foam and dies,” Subaru replied matter of fact.
“What have you been reading to this kid?” Syaoran asked Sakura with a
raised brow.
“Well, I ran out of adventure tales,” Sakura said meekly. “But after
she turns into foam, she becomes an angel.”
Sighing, Syaoran knelt by Subaru’s bedside and said, “After you get
better, ‘nii-san will take you out and teach you how to play soccer.”
“Are you good?” Subaru asked skeptically.
“He’s captain of Seijou Junior High soccer team,” Sakura stated, noting
that Subaru regained a spark in his eye. “Main striker with his key kick, the
Whirlwind Flash, and two years as MVP player.”
“Ah, well…” Syaoran rubbed his head bashfully.
“But my brother’s better,” Sakura continued curtly. “He was star striker
of Seijou High and he was MVP for all three years though he wasn’t even on the
soccer team.”
Touya, who happened to drop by the room with his remarkable timing,
smirked.
“Keeping an eye on Sakura-chan as usual,” murmured Yukito, who walked
up beside him.
“Has she been spending a lot of time with that little boy lately?”
Touya asked quietly, looking at the way Subaru’s brown eyes had momentarily
regained that mischievous sparkle.
Raising a silver eyebrow, Yukito commented, “He’s only seven, you know.”
“No, it’s not like that.” Touya glared at Yukito when he realized that
Yukito was chuckling slightly. “It’s just that I don’t think it’s a good idea
for Sakura to get too attached to that boy.”
“It’s too late for that,” Yukito sighed. “You know Sakura’s warm
heart.” His marigold eyes flickered over to Syaoran, who was slowly walking out
the room without giving even a nod to Sakura. I
see what he’s doing. Maybe I’ll have a word with him later on at the
restaurant. Yet ever since Syaoran had been promoted to
the head chef’s assistant, and began working as a full time sous chef,
it was difficult to catch a word with him.
“Well, that aside, there’s been some hushed up rumors of a new
epidemic,” Touya stated. “We’ve had five patients admitted to the hospital
yesterday with symptoms of fatigue and high fever.” He flicked through the
pages on the doctor’s charts.
Taking the chart from Touya’s hands, Yukito remarked, “That’s nothing
new with this weather.”
“Today, they’re showing signs of hemoptysis and delirium,” Touya
continued. “We got the blood samples back and the causes are unknown—the blood
cell count is abnormal but no virus or bacteria has been identified as the
cause. And seven more patients were admitted to the hospital this afternoon
with similar symptoms. We don’t yet know if they’re related, but—”
“I’m sure it’s nothing we need to worry about—maybe a new strain of
flu,” Yukito said.
Shaking his head, Touya murmured, “I don’t like the signs of this at
all—they’re not just coughing up blood because of some lung infection. I’ve
seen the patients. They don’t look like they’re just sick. They look…sort of
possessed.”
“You’re over-analyzing, To-ya,” Yukito chided.
“Maybe. I hope so.”
******
The twins were not the only ones who were constantly absent for class.
Mizuki Kai showed up to class for the first time after the ski trip, a week
later, shrugging off Terada-sensei’s request for an explanation for the
absence.
“I was merely recovering from my injuries from snowboarding during the
ski trip,” Kai said with an apologetic smile. “But I’m feeling all better now.
Thank you for worrying about me.” He sneezed.
“I was not worrying about you,” Terada-sensei muttered. His eyes
flickered over to Rika, who glanced away. Did Rika look slightly feverish? He
shook his head and focused back on the class.
Turning around in her desk, Sakura eyed Kai skeptically. “Did you
finally muster enough courage to show up to school?”
“Eh?” Kai readjusted his blue-tinted glasses.
“What happened with Miho-chan? She called you out to talk to you at the
ski lodge. You told me that you though she suspected. You never told me what
happened afterwarsd,” Sakura said. It was a relief to take focus off herself and
worry about someone else for a change.
“Oh.” Kai leaned back in his chair without a change of expression.
“Nothing much.”
Syaoran glanced over to his friend and muttered, “It doesn’t explain
why Miho has been missing school lately.”
“Eriol-kun said she caught a cold—she should be at school today,”
Sakura said, trying to catch Syaoran’s eyes. He was clearly as curious as she
was about what had happened between Miho and Kai. Yet, Syaoran returned to
reading a book without probing Kai any further. Sakura sighed, wondering if
Syaoran knew any more of the situation than he let on.
“Yeah, she usually comes around during lunch break,” Tomoyo commented.
Sure enough, there was a loud bang and the classroom door slid open.
Miho entered, uniform jacket hanging loosely with buttons undone, swinging her
bento box as she walked into the classroom.
“Hey Miho-chan! We’ve missed you. Are you feeling better?” Chiharu
asked.
“Yes, thank you!” Miho smiled. She searched the classroom. “Eriol! You
forgot your lunchbox today!”
“Thank you, Miho,” Eriol said.
“Bye bye!” Miho turned around.
“Miho-chan, aren’t you staying for lunch today?” Naoko asked. “I wanted
to show you pictures from the ski trip.”
Miho forced a smile. “Next time. I have to take a make-up test during
lunch break.” Before walking out, she caught Kai’s eye and nodded. Kai sighed
and as she left, he reached into his pocket and felt the cool metal of his
locket against his palm. Ever since that night at the ski lodge, he had stopped
wearing the locket. Still, he could not yet completely part from it.
The days that passed since the night at the ski resort was the longest,
most excruciating week Miho had ever faced. Every day she dreaded seeing
Mizuki-sempai, to the extent that she refused to go to school. But today, she
was ready. She was ready to face the truth.
After school, Miho waited for Kai in front of the school gates.
“Well, Mizuki-sempai, you promised to show me,” Miho said quietly when
the young man in black arrived by her side.
“So I did.” Kai glanced over to the pale girl with short auburn hair
tucked under a black beret. Her school uniform was covered by a black felt
coat. “My car’s parked not too far away from here.”
“You drive?” Miho looked up at Kai, almost ready to smile, then
stopped.
“Don’t go blabbing on the teachers; they’ll probably confiscate my
car.” Kai took out his key and pressed the unlock button.
“Awesome,” murmured Miho as Kai opened the door to his gleaming black
sports car.
The car ride was silent, without any music or conversation as they
passed through a familiar neighborhood. Miho realized with some wryness that
she no longer felt that knot in her stomach whenever she passed through her old
home. Home now was in the Reed estate, with Eriol, Nakuru and Suppi-chan.
Finally, they came to a familiar graveyard, the one that she had always
passed by on her way to elementary school. The car was parked aside, and
grimly, they walked through the heavy iron gates of the Tomoeda graveyard
shrouded in the chill fog of early evening. Dry leaves and twigs crackled at
their feet.
They walked past through rows and rows of fancy headstones until they
finally came to a small mound, strewn with withered flowers, with an unmarked
marble slab. Kai halted so suddenly that Miho almost collided into his back.
“Is this it?” Miho asked, staring at the gray stone.
“It is.” Kai moved aside so that Miho could step forward.
Miho knelt in front of the mound and reached over to stroke the
gravestone. “Why is it unmarked?”
“The people who buried him did not know his name or his age or where he
was from.”
The soulful gray eyes that stared up at him