New Trials Christmas
Special 2003
******
There is nothing as
serene yet wistful and lonely as watching white snowflakes quietly fall from
the gray, overcast sky and blanket the world in a sheet of icy beauty, a
perpetual whiteness.
Someone once told me that though those
millions of tiny white snowflakes all seem to be the same, each one of them is
different, no two exactly the same as another. No wonder the Inuit have dozens
of different words for snow. Even though they all look the same, each
individual flake is made up of its own unique crystal formation, just like each
person is different, though we are all same in the superficial level. After
all, it¡¯s only a fraction of us that makes us different from the person
standing next to us.
It was over a year ago that I watched
the person who told me this melt into the blur of a snowstorm leaving me to
stand, feet planted on the ground, heart torn and body like lead, bitter cold
snow melting on contact with my skin. That scene has haunted my dreams for
months afterwards, him walking away from me, and me, chasing after him like
always.
Snow is so pretty,
yet intangible. When I was
little, I used to be fascinated by the little snow fairies falling from the
sky, wanting to catch one in my hand and treasure it. But as soon as I caught
one, it melted into a water droplet.
In my dream, every
time I reach out for him, he melts away in my hand, like a snowflake. Recently
with the familiar cold of winter, this recurrent dream has returned to my
sleep, only this time in the overclouded, stormy sky, I see a pair of ice blue
eyes watching me, paralyzing me. And I can¡¯t chase after him, only watch him
drift away into the snow.
If humans were snowflakes,
identical on the surface, what makes each of us so different? Is it chance or
fate or biological rendering of genes? What makes him different from everyone
else for me? I think if he were a snowflake amidst millions of other
snowflakes, I would still be able to spot him.
Then again, maybe he
isn¡¯t so different from everyone else, and it¡¯s neither chance nor fate nor
biology. Maybe it¡¯s just my heart.
******
¡°Christmas is coming soon!¡± Sakura exclaimed, clapping her hands together. The students of class 3-2 were more energetic and there was a lighter atmosphere around them that day.
¡°Really, Tomoeda deserves some brightening of spirits,¡± Chiharu stated. ¡°After all the chaos with the earthquakes and the case of flu epidemic going around these days, I¡¯m more excited than usual for Christmas.¡±
¡°Even the patients in the
¡°I know, the doctors and the nurses too,¡± Chiharu said.
¡°I feel sorry for all those children who have to stay in the hospital during the holidays, though,¡± Sakura said with morose. ¡°Hey, do you think the journalism class could do something special for them? For example, we could dress up like elves and give them little gifts, or do a little skit for them.¡±
¡°That¡¯s like a good idea.¡± Naoko called out, ¡°Hey, Aki-kun, how does that sound?¡±
¡°Yeah, it sounds like a good idea,¡± Aki replied. ¡°We can discuss it during the journalism meeting later on.
Rolling her eyes, Erika stated, ¡°Personally, I¡¯m looking forward to the Winter Wonderland this year on Christmas Eve.¡±
¡°Winter Wonderland?¡± Sakura wrinkled her nose; last year¡¯s did not leave a pleasant memory.
¡°Didn¡¯t you hear? This year is going to be really special; Aki-kun is hosting it at his house—it¡¯s going to be gorgeous,¡± Tomoyo said. She glanced over at Eriol¡¯s seat then blushed. Could it be possible?
¡°The murderous partner-search begins again,¡± Syaoran muttered, sighing. He turned to his right side, where Kai sat who sat slouched in his chair, bored out of his mind. ¡°Don¡¯t shake your head like that Kai, thinking, ¡®these little, tiresome junior high students.¡¯¡±
Twirling a pen around his finger, Kai said, ¡°Well, should I get into the holiday spirit and think, ¡®Aww, what an adorable bunch of kids. Maybe I should join in with the merry-making!¡¯¡±
¡°You¡¯re just cranky because Meilin already returned to
¡°Humph. How about you?¡± Kai nodded his head towards Sakura, sitting in front of Syaoran¡¯s seat, busily chattering with her friends. ¡°Competition for her will be fierce this time ¡®round.¡± He eyed Eron, cocky as usual, his indecipherable eyes on Sakura, and Aki, who was nonchalantly scanning over all the pretty girls in the class from the back of the classroom. ¡°How about pretty, foxy Erika?¡±
¡°Certainly not; one time was enough,¡± Syaoran replied.
Raising his eyebrow, Kai whistled. ¡°You actually went with her before?¡±
¡°Last year. Don¡¯t remind me.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t tell me you asked her?¡± Kai asked. ¡°Syao-kun, you never fail to surprise me.¡±
¡°Shuddup,¡± Syaoran muttered, sinking into his chair. ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice. It was my fault but¡¦¡± He sighed again. It was all his fault hurting Sakura like that, saying those words, leaving her standing there in the snow, bewildered, hating him. But she did not understand his situation then. But he was different now. He could live for himself.
¡°Who did your little angel go with? The fox¡¯s twin?¡±
¡°No, Eron went with Tomoyo. And she went alone,¡± Syaoran replied, sinking further into his chair. Perfect opportunity missed and missed again.
¡°He he, you little ones never fail to amuse me,¡± Kai said, chuckling to himself. This year might prove amusing as well.
¡°Ahem. Excuse me, Mizuki Kai, the old and the wise. Who would think you¡¯re only a year older than us?¡± Syaoran commented dryly. ¡°Though in mentality, even I¡¯m older than you.¡±
¡°Oh yes, revered Syaoran of the awe-inspiring Li Clan,¡± Kai retorted. ¡°I forgot for a second that you are so high and mighty, the cream of the crop and above us lowly folk because you are the Chosen One—oops, Chosen One no longer, but still more venerable because you are now a freelancer, completely solo and independent.¡±
¡°You¡¯re asking for getting sorely beaten yet again,¡± Syaoran said warningly, cracking his knuckles.
¡°Ah, okay, Syao-kun, truce!¡± Kai grinned, raising his arms. ¡°I can easily beat you in a game of words, but when it comes to fists, you definitely have an advantage.¡±
At this, Syaoran relented, glad to feel carefree after a depressing month in general. It was heartening to see Kai in a good mood, evident because he was joking around once more after sulking and brooding for so long, especially after Meilin¡¯s departure several weeks ago.
******
¡°Your Christmas Project idea is a really good one, Sakura-san,¡± Aki stated during the journalism club meeting. ¡°We can advertise about in the school newspaper, and this will make a good holiday special edition news item. I¡¯ll have to get permission from the head of the children¡¯s department, but I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll appreciate our efforts, and the children would love it. However there will be quite a lot of preparation need in making this project successful, the first problem being that we only have two weeks to prepare a program, raise money, and shop for presents. And find partners for the Winter Wonderland.¡±
Everyone groaned.
¡°I don¡¯t think the limited amount of time would pose to be a problem,¡± Sakura said. ¡°If we start right away, we have plenty of time. Oh, I talked with Tomoyo-chan, and she said that she and a couple of girls from choir are interested in caroling in the hospital.¡±
¡°That would be great,¡± Aki said. ¡°So, that¡¯s one part of the program. And we need to start fund-raisers right away so that we can raise money for the presents. Hmm¡¦ I think I can get my dad to give me a donation.¡±
¡°Lucky to have such a rich father,¡± one of the students grumbled.
¡°We can ask for student donations also,¡± Miho said. ¡°People feel more generous around this time of the year.¡±
¡°And we can hold bake-sales and sell handmade Christmas cards,¡± Naoko added.
A bunch of journalism students groaned again. More work! The journalism club was getting to be known as the hardest working, most time-consuming activity around rivaled only by the Boys¡¯ Soccer Team.
******
Fundraising was an easier task than expected since the Seijou Junior High Select Choir and the journalism club joined hands. Tomoyo¡¯s mother had agreed to donate boxes of toys.
¡°Takashi-kun, that card looks hideous,¡± Chiharu stated, since a bunch of them had stayed after school to make Christmas cards to sell the next day. She added a final sprinkle of glitter on the Christmas tree she had cut out of green construction paper.
¡°It¡¯s a piece of art,¡± Takashi stated, holding up a malformed card, falling apart, oozing with glue and bits of shiny paper dangling off the edges. ¡°You see, art is not determined simply by what is ascetically pleasing to the majority, but in fact is the child born from the creativity and innovation of a budding, explosive young mind, familiar with the ancient notions of myth and gone-by-days but practicing new-fangled methods condemned as insane and unheard of to many in modern society.¡±
¡°I never appreciated modern art much,¡± Chiharu muttered.
¡°Mizuki-sempai, I think it¡¯s cheap that you are printing cards using computer graphics. What happened to good old scissors and paper?¡± Miho stated, wincing as she snipped a little too much off her Santa Claus who looked more like an overblown red balloon.
Examining one of the cards that Kai had color printed and admiring the professional-looking graphics, Naoko commented, ¡°But then again, these cards look like the only ones fit to sell.¡±
¡°Look, the ones that Tomoyo-chan is making are nice,¡± Sakura said, looking down at the mess she had created. If she squinted hard enough, the brown glop with a red hat might pass for a Santa Teddy Bear.
¡°Wow, they are nice!¡± Miho exclaimed, holding up a sparkling card from the stack that Tomoyo had made, with a Christmas tree in the center, each ornament on it carefully cut out and decorated. She picked up one of Eriol¡¯s. ¡°Eriol¡¯s is pretty good too.¡±
¡°It is good!¡± Sakura exclaimed, peering over his shoulder. ¡°But Eriol-kun has always been good at art.
Scowling, Syaoran bent over his card and started snipping away ferociously.
Giggling, Miho commented, ¡°What have you been working on for the past several hours, refusing to show anyone?¡±
Everyone stopped their scissor-work and looked over to Syaoran, who had been working mainly with paper and watercolor.
¡°Come on, show us,¡± Sakura said, trying to pry the cards out of Syaoran¡¯s grasp.
¡°Ha ha! What is that?¡± Miho laughed.
Shaking his head, Aki said, ¡°We¡¯re making Christmas cards. What part of ¡®Christmas¡¯ don¡¯t you understand, Li-kun?¡±
¡°The word ¡®holiday¡¯ is not registered in his dictionary,¡± Sakura commented, giggling.
¡°Yeah, it¡¯s not really befitting,¡± Chiharu commented.
¡°But it¡¯s still really nice,¡± Sakura reassured, peering at the cards with beautiful watercolor paintings of trees—pink and white sakura trees of spring, red and orange of the autumn foliage, verdant green of high summer, and silvery white of winter.
Syaoran looked up gratefully at Sakura, whose eyes were a more radiant, deeper green than any of the paint colors. His lips began to work before his mind did. ¡°Sakura, do you want to¡¦¡±
¡°Do I want to?¡± Sakura repeated.
¡°Do you want to¡¦ want to help me put these cards on the drying rack?¡± Syaoran continued helplessly. Too many people, wrong moment.
¡°Sure,¡± Sakura said, unsuspectingly taking the cards carefully and laying them out on the drying rack. Some of them were ruined because Syaoran had been too hasty in trying to conceal.
¡°Syaoran¡¯s cards are very pretty,¡± Tomoyo refuted, catching Syaoran¡¯s eyes and smiling sympathetically. She mouthed to him, ¡®Next time.¡¯ He nodded.
¡°Just make more of the winter-themed cards,¡± Aki relented, staring at his own poor attempt to draw a snowman. ¡°I guess it¡¯s not that bad.¡±
¡°Yeah, better than yours,¡± Miho said. ¡°No one would take them even if they were given out for free, let out buy them.¡±
¡°Humph. Someone won¡¯t be able to find a partner for the
Winter Wonderland,¡± Aki muttered. Then he sighed dramatically. ¡°Ah, so many
beautiful girls, and they¡¯ll be so heartbroken if I don¡¯t ask them. Who should
I ask?¡±
They all had a better time making cookies and cakes for the bake sale since Syaoran, Eriol and Tomoyo were all experts in cooking and Sakura too had improved dramatically. Aki was wise enough to get his cook to bake things instead of trying his hand in the kitchen.
¡°Tomoyo-san¡¯s cookies look delicious,¡± Eriol commented, peeking at the cookies in the basket.
¡°Ah, thank you, Eriol-kun. Yours look good too,¡± Tomoyo said.
¡°Oh, stop it, you two. Are you trying to make the rest of us, untalented people feel bad?¡± Kai grumbled, staring at his own scorched batch. He picked up an ash black, dried up lemon scone and popped it into his mouth. ¡°Hmm¡¦ Not bad.¡±
¡°How can you eat those?¡± Syaoran asked, aghast. Then again, Kai could each anything.
¡°Good thing Tomoyo-chan made an extra batch,¡± Aki sighed, shaking his head.
¡°Shut up; at least I tried rather than asking my cook to do it for me,¡± Kai said.
¡°Miho-chan, I didn¡¯t know you were so good at making cookies,¡± Sakura commented.
¡°Ha ha¡¦ actually, I got Eriol to bake me another batch while he was at it,¡± Miho admitted sheepishly.
¡°Your batch looks really good too,¡± Syaoran said.
¡°That¡¯s because you helped me out with this new recipe,¡± Sakura replied, smiling. ¡°Thank you.¡±
¡°Right¡¦¡± Syaoran sighed.
The previous day¡¦
Holding up Wolfie-chan in the air, Syaoran flopped down on his back onto his bed, and told the patient listener, ¡°Life is so hard these days. Christmas and dances always makes things so complicated.¡± Wolfie-chan tilted his head and whimpered sympathetically.
Syaoran continued, ¡°At this rate, she might be taken even before I get the chance to ask. It¡¯s impossible to find a moment alone with her, with all this stupid club activities, and I simply cannot ask her in front of everyone—I tried to, and I couldn¡¯t. What should I do, Wolfie-chan?¡± The puppy stared back with earnest amber eyes. ¡°I should call her? Okay, I¡¯ll do that.¡±
With trembling fingers, he dialed her house, praying that her brother was not home.
¡°Hello, Kinomoto residence,¡± Sakura said on the phone. From the back, there was an exploding sound. ¡°HOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! FIRE! HELP!!!¡± Then, there was the beeping of the tone.
¡°Sakura? Sakura?¡± Syaoran said frantically. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Without wasting another minute, he grabbed a jacket and ran over to Sakura¡¯s
When he got there, he found Sakura in disarray, flour on her cheek, apron sliding off one shoulder, half in tears.
¡°Syaoran! What are you doing here. ACHOO!¡± Sakura sneezed. ¡°The house is a mess right now.¡±
¡°I heard something exploding, and you shouted help¡¦¡± Syaoran trailed off as he saw the state of the kitchen. ¡°I thought you were good at cooking.¡±
¡°Was that you on the phone earlier? Sorry, I hung up by mistake. I thought I improved in cooking, but I think I overheated the oven because I was in a hurry,¡± Sakura said. ¡°Or maybe I forgot to put in an ingredient, or¡¦ I¡¯m never going to bake the cookies in time—it¡¯s my turn to make dinner tonight, also. And the kitchen¡¯s a mess; ¡®nii-chan¡¯s going to kill me.¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay, we¡¯ll get everything done,¡± Syaoran said. ¡°Let¡¯s clean up the kitchen first, and I¡¯ll help you make the cookies.¡±
In half an hour, the cookies were safely cooking the oven, and Syaoran was slicing vegetables to put into the curry.
¡°Thank you so much, Syaoran,¡± Sakura said. ¡°You¡¯re like my guardian angel, appearing at the spur of the moment. I don¡¯t know what I would have done without you today. I¡¯d like to invite you to stay for dinner but¡¦¡±
¡°It¡¯s okay, your brother won¡¯t like it,¡± Syaoran said, smiling. Ah, perfect opportunity. Even the meddlesome stuffed animal is upstairs, playing video games. ¡°Sakura, for the Winter Won—¡±
¡°Kaijou!!! I¡¯m home! Mmmm¡¦ I smell curry; I¡¯m starving, having spent the entire day at the hospital.¡±
¡°Oh no, onii-chan¡¯s home,¡± Sakura exclaimed. ¡°Quick, out the window! Oh, I¡¯m so sorry, Syaoran.¡±
¡°No, no problem.¡± Syaoran forced a smile as he landed in the backyard. Then he sighed.
¡°Wolfie-chan, plan is unsuccessful,¡± Syaoran said, subdued, to the little wolf-like puppy who had dutifully waited outside the house, giving his master some privacy. The puppy rubbed his head against Syaoran¡¯s ankle in reassurance.
~~~~~~
Either way, the card sale and the bake sale was a great success. They sold out so quickly that they regretted not making more cookies and cards. Some students were generous enough to make extra donations.
Therefore, the journalism club raised a nice sum of money by the end of the week, along with the donations by Aki¡¯s father and Tomoyo¡¯s mother. The collaboration between the choir club and the journalism club definitely had maximized the profit, and no one guessed the real reason why Sakura had suggested for Tomoyo, president of the choir club, to help out the journalism club.
¡°Eriol-kun said that my cookies tasted the best, Sakura-chan,¡± Tomoyo squealed after the bake sale.
¡°Of course, since you made them,¡± Sakura said, smiling warmly at her best friend.
Sakura¡¯s Love-Love Action Plan #1: Give them opportunities to work together to develop their friendship. Successful!
******
¡°It¡¯s a really nice idea, Kaijou, preparing a Christmas event for the children stuck in the hospital over the holiday,¡± Touya commented to Sakura on one of the journalism club members¡¯ working days at the hospital. ¡°They¡¯re all looking forward to it.¡±
Secretly, Sakura rejoiced. Wow, one of the rare times that onii-chan ever complimented me!
¡°Touya and I have shifts on Christmas Eve too, so we¡¯ll stop in and watch if we can,¡± Yukito said, as he tied up files. ¡°It¡¯s very generous of you guys to give up Christmas Eve to do this. Don¡¯t you guys have the Winter Wonderland in the evening also?¡±
Sakura nodded.
¡°Do you have a date this year?¡± Yukito asked. ¡°I heard you went single last year.¡±
¡°Ah¡¦ No. Not yet,¡± Sakura stammered, blushing.
¡°Who would want to take that clumsy monster to a dance?¡± Touya said, scowling, looking around to see if the Brat was sauntering around the office again.
¡°I thought you would definitely be going with Li-kun,¡± Yukito said blandly. ¡°Aren¡¯t you two going out?¡±
¡°W-what? N-no!¡± Sakura stammered even more, turning redder in front of Yukito.
Simultaneously, Touya demanded, ¡°WHAT? Why haven¡¯t I heard of this before? Sakura, tell me truthfully, don¡¯t even think of lying to your brother. When did this happen?¡±
¡°I told you we¡¯re not!¡± Sakura replied, panicking and looking around to see if anyone was around.
¡°Now, now, Touya, it¡¯s perfectly healthy for girls Sakura age to be dating. And Syaoran is a fine boy—he¡¯s honorable too,¡± Yukito said.
¡°Yuki—I¡¯m warning you. It won¡¯t be a pretty sight if I lose my temper in the hospital,¡± Touya said.
Good-natured Yukito merely laughed. ¡°Sister complex coming into play, To-ya? I might end up having to take poor Sakura to the Winter Wonderland for at this rate, no one would be able to ask her in fear of her older brother.¡±
¡°Do me a favor and take her, if she has to go,¡± Touya muttered. ¡°Before some intolerable Brat gets too full of himself.¡±
Hehe¡¦ Some five years ago, that would have been the greatest Christmas present imaginable, going to a dance with Yukito-san, Sakura thought. But really, at this rate, I might have to go to the Winter Wonderland single again. Not that I mind, but¡¦ Yes, it really did hurt when Syaoran went with Erika last year. Will he ask her again this year? She ignored the fact that it had been Erika who had asked Syaoran last year, not vice versa.
Exactly how am I supposed to ask Sakura to that stupid ball? Syaoran wondered as he carried a stack of new storybooks to the children¡¯s play room during his shift at the hospital. Do I just tell her, ¡®Uh, sorry I didn¡¯t get to ask you last year, but I was obsessed with pushing you out of my life, but I¡¯ve realized that¡¯s impossible, after all?¡¯ Will she even want to go with me, after what I did to her then?
¡°It¡¯s okay, just go for it.¡±
¡°Right, that¡¯s what I should do,¡± Syaoran said. ¡°I should just go for it, no hesitation, be strong. Eh?¡± He looked around him, to see who had spoken. There was no one.
Someone tugged his pants. Finally, Syaoran looked down, over the large stack of picture books. There was a little boy with large brown eyes, staring up at him.
¡°Gah!¡± Syaoran jumped.
¡°Kaijou-nee-chan¡¯s boyfriend,¡± the five-year-older stated.
¡°Subaru. What are you doing here?¡± Syaoran asked, gulping.
¡°Need to wait around for the MRA scan results,¡± Subaru replied scowling. ¡°Some fool of a doctor told me I have to wait around for a week in this stupid hospital. Anyway, what are you so worried about, Kaijou-nee-chan¡¯s boyfriend? Were you dumped?¡±
¡°No—that would mean that we were actually going out in the first place,¡± Syaoran sighed. ¡°Nope, our relationship is purely platonic at the moment.¡±
¡°Eh?¡± Subaru tilted his head. ¡°Anyway, that means I have a chance too then. Yay!¡±
¡°I don¡¯t need any more contenders in the way,¡± Syaoran said. A brief image of Sakura and Yukito laughing in the intern office came to mind. ¡°What I have is already more than I can handle.¡±
¡°But I still think Kaijou-nee-chan likes you best,¡± Subaru commented.
¡°Really?¡± Syaoran brightened. ¡°Do you really think so?¡±
¡°Humph. Grown ups are all so stupid,¡± Subaru stated. ¡°You¡¯ll never get her that way.¡±
Then, from a distant room, they heard a nurse shriek, ¡°That wretched little boy is not in his bed! Search for him instantly!¡±
¡°Oops! Time to run,¡± Subaru said, dodging behind an open door towards the end of the hall.
Shaking his head, Syaoran muttered, ¡°Sheesh, what have I come to, asking five-year-olds for advice?¡± Forgetting he had to deliver the books, he headed back towards the office. Sakura was there.
He heard the nurse shout hysterically, ¡°The boy is not in the playroom. Where can he be?¡± Then he chuckled. Subaru sure did get around. A confined boy who would take all means to escape, though freedom lasted only five minutes.
Panting, Subaru shut the door behind him and looked up. He stared at a little girl, his age, with golden curls tied into pigtails at each side of her head, propped up on pink heart cushions adorning her hospital bed. Unlike the other children in the hospital, she was wearing a frilly pink nightgown and had a whole hospital suite to herself, complete with her own TV, chest full of toys and a button to call nurses.
Frowning, the girl demanded, ¡°Who are you?¡±
¡°Doesn¡¯t matter to you, does it?¡± Subaru replied, scowling back.
¡°What did you say?¡± Nina replied, bolting up. She was not used to being spoken in that manner. ¡°Dirty, spoiled boy. Get out of my room. Now!¡±
At that moment, Subaru heard the nurses¡¯ voices outside. ¡°Check the waiting room. He might be there.¡±
¡°Hush, you¡¯ll get me caught, then I¡¯ll get really mad,¡± Subaru said, peeping out the door then shutting it again.
¡°Who do you think you are to tell me what to do?¡± Nina asked, hotly. ¡°Do you know who I am? I¡¯m Nina, the daughter of¡¦¡±
¡°I don¡¯t care who you are,¡± Subaru cut her off. ¡°Just shut your mouth—you¡¯re making too much noise.¡±
¡°Why you¡¦ you¡¦¡± the five-year-old girl was at loss of words for a change. Then she hopped off her bed and slipped her feet into tiny furry slippers with lace and stomped up to Subaru, hands on hips. ¡°I¡¯m going to scream.¡±
¡°Fine, go ahead and scream.¡± Face was expressionless.
This infuriated Nina more. ¡°You¡¯ll get in trouble with the nurses.¡±
¡°So will you,¡± Subaru said.
At this, Nina replied smugly, ¡°No I won¡¯t. Because I¡¯m special.¡±
¡°You¡¯re special all right,¡± Subaru said. ¡°A special, spoiled brat.¡±
¡°Your shoes have holes in them. You¡¯re the most disgusting boy I¡¯ve ever seen in my life,¡± Nina said, shaking her pretty head distastefully.
¡°Thank you,¡± Subaru replied. ¡°I hear that all the time.¡±
¡°So, who are you?¡± Nina demanded again. ¡°What does your father do?¡±
¡°I¡¯m no one,¡± Subaru replied. ¡°I don¡¯t have a father. Nor a mother, as a matter of fact.¡±
¡°You don¡¯t have parents?¡± Nina asked, shocked. ¡°How can you not have parents?¡±
¡°I dropped down from the sky,¡± Subaru said, smiling wickedly.
¡°Liar! How can you be born from the sky?¡± Nina said.
¡°I¡¯m not lying,¡± Subaru replied.
¡°Where do you live?¡±
¡°At the orphanage,¡± Subaru said, glaring at Nina in a challenging way.
At this, Nina tilted her head up. ¡°Ha—you don¡¯t even have a home. You¡¯re a beggar. And you think you¡¯re better than me? You don¡¯t have parents!¡±
¡°Oh, are you so much better than me, Miss Priss?¡± Subaru demanded. ¡°If you have such great parents, where are they? Why are you even here? You don¡¯t even look sick to me.¡±
¡°I-I am sick,¡± Nina replied, flustered. ¡°I have a weak body and it¡¯s not healthy for me to breathe in cold air. What are you doing here, anyway? You don¡¯t look sick, either.¡±
¡°I have brain tumor,¡± Subaru said coolly.
¡°W-what¡¯s that?¡± Nina asked.
¡°My brain¡¯s rotting,¡± Subaru replied. ¡°And I¡¯m going to die.¡±
¡°Liar!¡± Nina said. ¡°You¡¯re lying again. And you can¡¯t die. You¡¯re too young.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not lying,¡± Subaru returned. ¡°God hates me. That¡¯s why I¡¯m going to hell when I die.¡±
¡°I said you¡¯re not going to die!¡± Nina said, voice rising higher. ¡°Stop saying stuff like that in front of me! You homeless, parentless, dirty thing!¡±
¡°I¡¯d rather be me, homeless, parentless, sickness, all, than be a stupid frill-covered doll stuck in this stupid room forever—how is this any better than having no parents?¡± Subaru said, losing his famous temper, once and for all. ¡°You¡¯re the ugliest, fattest, most spoiled, stupidest girl I¡¯ve ever seen in my life!¡±
By this time, Nina had already blocked her ears as Subaru continued to rant and began to scream with all her might; it was astounding how powerful a shriek came from such a small lung capacity.
¡°YOU IDIOT! WHAT ARE YOU SCREAMING FOR?¡± Subaru shouted back. ¡°GGRRAHHHHHHH!!!¡±
¡°AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!¡± Nina returned.
¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Sakura asked Miho, who shrugged in return. They rushed towards the sound of the noise. Ever since Kai had finally taken reign over the children¡¯s room after weeks of neglect, there had been peace and tranquility in the children¡¯s section of the hospital.
All the nurses came rushing towards Nina¡¯s room, to find the two children screaming and thrashing and clawing each other.
Blinking, Miho whispered, ¡°Wow¡¦ Nina has finally met her match.¡±
¡°Sure seems like it,¡± Sakura replied, gulping. Could two children be any fiercer?
¡°Subaru!¡± the head nurse shouted over the shrieking, hands on hips. ¡°Silence at once.¡±
¡°NO!¡± Subaru replied, sticking his tongue out at her.
¡°Miserable boy! Wait till I get to talk to the head of your orphanage,¡± the nurse replied.
¡°Subaru, please behave,¡± Sakura pleaded.
¡°Make her stop, and I¡¯ll stop,¡± Subaru replied, grabbing Nina¡¯s pigtail.
¡°OOOOWWWWWWWWWW!!! STOP IT! LET GO! I SAID, LET GO!¡± Nina shrieked, kicking at Subaru.
¡°Let go!¡± Miho said, trying to intervene. Nina was ten times worse with Subaru than with any other kid in the hospital.
¡°Get out of the way, witch!¡± the two shouted simultaneously, shoving Miho out of the way.
Rubbing her side from the impact of being pushed on her bottom, Miho muttered, ¡°What an unmatchable nightmare pair. Who can stop this?¡± An idea occurred to her. Quickly, she ran down the hall to the children¡¯s playroom.
Soon, a crowd had gathered around outside of Nina¡¯s suite room and the nurses held up their arms in despair as the little boy and girl proceeded to tear at each other¡¯s clothes, without ceasing to shout. They showed no sign of wearing out, and in fact, they seemed to be louder and more vigorous than before.
¡°You two, stop it this instant,¡± Kai said in a firmly commanding voice that surprised all of them as he pushed through the crowd, followed by Miho, who gave a thumbs up signal to Sakura, who sighed in relief. It surprised the nurses more when Nina and Subaru actually stopped and stared at tall, grave-faced Kai, round-eyed.
¡°Kai-nii-chan!¡± Nina wailed, bursting into tears. She pointed at Subaru. ¡°He started it.¡±
¡°Did not!¡±
¡°Did too.¡± Nina stuck out her tongue at him. ¡°I¡¯m not talking to people like you! You¡¯re poor and homeless. Father said people like you don¡¯t deserve to ¡®ssociate with me.¡±
¡°Why, you¡¦¡± Subaru began, ready to pull Nina¡¯s hair again, but Sakura pulled him back.
¡°Nina, apologize to the boy this instant,¡± Kai said coldly.
¡°But¡¦¡± Nina trailed off, looking up at Kai, half in indignation and half with intimidation. She had expected Kai to back her up like he always did—he had never been so stern with her before.
¡°Now, Nina, or else I¡¯m never going to tell you stories or bring you candies again,¡± Kai continued firmly, without any shred of sympathy.
¡°K-Kai-nii-chan is so m-mean.¡± Sniffling, Nina muttered quickly, without looking at Subaru, ¡°Sorry.¡±
¡°I didn¡¯t hear you,¡± Kai said. ¡°What did you say? Repeat it so that we can all hear.¡±
Looking up, lips trembling, Nina replied louder, ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry.¡±
¡°Better.¡± Then Kai turned to Subaru. ¡°Now what do you say?¡±
¡°What, why do I have to say sorry¡¦¡± Subaru began to protest, but when he caught a glimpse of Kai¡¯s scary expression, he hastened to reply, ¡°I¡¯m sorry too.¡±
¡°Good,¡± Kai said, giving him a light pat in the back. ¡°Now go back with the nurses and behave.¡±
Obediently, Subaru followed the nurse who ushered him away, back to the general children¡¯s hospital rooms.
¡°Who would have thought that Mizuki Kai would be able to take control of a situation in which every one else is helpless in?¡± Touya murmured.
¡°That boy is a surprising character in all aspects,¡± Yukito said.
¡°As are all Mizuki¡¯s,¡± Touya replied, as the two returned to the office, convinced that the showdown was over.
¡°So strict,¡± Miho muttered, staring hard at Kai.
¡°Scary,¡± Sakura agreed.
Nina cowered under her bedcovers. ¡°Kai-nii-chan?¡±
¡°Yes Nina?¡± Kai walked to the little girl¡¯s bed and brushed her blonde bangs out of her puffy red eyes.
Then, Nina flung her chubby arms around Kai¡¯s neck and began sobbing again. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Kai-nii-chan, I¡¯m sorry. Nina was a bad girl. Nina won¡¯t say those kind of things again, so don¡¯t be mad at me. Please don¡¯t hate Nina.¡±
Patting Nina¡¯s head, Kai smiled warmly. ¡°That¡¯s my little princess.¡±
Miho closed the suite¡¯s door and started walking away.
¡°Everything¡¯s okay?¡± Sakura asked, catching up to her and watched her queerly.
¡°I guess,¡± Miho replied, clenching her fist tighter.
******
¡°Sakura-chan will wear the dress I made to the Winter Wonderland, won¡¯t you?¡± Tomoyo asked, holding up the dress she was adorning to the light. The old bunch of friends—Chiharu, Rika, Naoko, Sakura, with an addition of Miho—were having a traditional girls¡¯ sleepover at Tomoyo¡¯s.
¡°Of course,¡± Sakura replied, twiddling with Kero-chan¡¯s tail, who was pretending to be a stuffed animal in front of her classmates; he had insisted on coming over to Tomoyo¡¯s because he knew that sleepovers always meant good food.
¡°Oooh, speaking of dresses, I¡¯m going to kill Takashi-kun if he doesn¡¯t ask me to the Winter Wonderland soon,¡± Chiharu said, strangling a cushion from Tomoyo¡¯s couch. ¡°I got the prettiest dress for the ball, but he still hasn¡¯t asked me.¡±
¡°Haha¡¦ How like Takashi-kun,¡± Naoko laughed.
¡°He waited till the last moment, last year, didn¡¯t he?¡± Rika asked, brushing Miho¡¯s short auburn hair. ¡°At the ice-skating rink.¡±
¡°True,¡± Chiharu said, scowling. ¡°He just likes to see me in anguish. I practically had to force him to ask me last year and in return had to listen to two hours of his stupid stories.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t stress over it,¡± Tomoyo said. ¡°The rest of us don¡¯t have dates either.¡±
¡°Seriously?¡± Chiharu exclaimed. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going with Eron-kun again this year? You guys were the best-looking couple last year.¡±
Tomoyo shook her head.
¡°Then do you have someone else you want to go with?¡± Rika asked.
Blushing, Tomoyo stammered, ¡°Ahh¡¦ I¡¦¡±
¡°Really? You do?¡± Chiharu asked, bolting up, round-eyed. ¡°The chaste and heartless Tomoyo finally found a guy to like?¡±
¡°Is that what you guys always thought of me?¡± Tomoyo asked. ¡°I just never found the right person.¡±
¡°But you did now?¡± Naoko demanded. ¡°Who can it be? Do we know him? Sakura, do you know?¡±
¡°Hoe-e¡¦¡± Sakura sweat-dropped, exchanging looks with Tomoyo.
¡°You don¡¯t look very surprised, Rika-sempai,¡± Miho commented, turning around.
Rika smiled. ¡°I always thought it was kind of obvious. There has only been one guy that matches up to Tomoyo¡¯s standards, hasn¡¯t there? In terms of maturity, talent, personal disposition. And I¡¯m really glad he came back to Tomoeda.¡±
¡°You can¡¯t mean Eriol-kun!¡± Naoko exclaimed.
¡°Yes, that makes sense,¡± Chiharu reflected. ¡°They match each other perfectly. I can¡¯t believe I missed it before.¡±
¡°Did he ask you yet?¡± Miho asked slyly.
¡°Ah, of course not!¡± Tomoyo said, blushing furiously.
¡°I always thought that Eriol-kun liked Sakura-chan,¡± Naoko commented.
¡°Shush, what are you saying?¡± Chiharu nudged her friend hard. ¡°Sakura-chan has Li-kun.¡±
¡°You¡¯re going with Li-kun this year, aren¡¯t you Sakura-chan? Personally, I was very surprised when he went with Erika-chan last year,¡± Naoko said.
¡°Hoe-e¡¦¡± Sakura looked down at her lap.
¡°What, he hasn¡¯t asked you yet?¡± Chiharu asked, appalled. ¡°What¡¯s with Seijou guys being so inactive. At this rate, we¡¯ll all end up dateless! What about you Rika-chan?¡±
¡°Oh, I¡¯m not going to the Winter Wonderland,¡± Rika replied.
¡°Why not?¡± Sakura exclaimed.
¡°I have another engagement that day,¡± Rika said.
¡°Ah, you have a date with Terada-sensei!¡± Sakura said, smiling.
¡°H-how did you know?¡± Rika asked, blushing.
¡°Come on, Rika-chan, we¡¯re not
grade-schoolers anymore,¡± Chiharu said, patting her friend¡¯s back. ¡°You can tell
us those kind of things and expect us to keep silent.
I mean, we all like and respect Terada-sensei too. More importantly, you¡¯re our
close friend, and we want your relationship to work out.¡±
Rika smiled blithely. ¡°Thank you, guys.¡±
¡°Well then, Naoko, you probably don¡¯t have a date either,¡± Chiharu said.
¡°Actually, I do have a date,¡± Naoko replied.
¡°WHAT?¡± All the girls turned to face Naoko, taken back in surprise. ¡°Who?¡±
¡°You know. Matsumi-kun from journalism club,¡± Naoko replied casually, as if it was not a big deal.
¡°And you kept this a secret?¡± Chiharu exclaimed.
¡°Well, you guys were all in anguish so I didn¡¯t want to pour oil over fire,¡± Naoko said, smiling. ¡°Besides, I asked him.¡±
¡°WHAT?¡± The girls exclaimed again.
¡°Ah, at this rate, us girls will have to take action ourselves,¡± Chiharu lamented. ¡°Rika-chan, you¡¯re lucky you have a mature, grown-up man.¡±
Shaking her head and smiling ruefully, Rika said, ¡°I asked sensei out on Christmas Eve—I had to convince him that everyone else would be at the ball, so we wouldn¡¯t be caught.¡±
¡°Well, if Yamazaki Takashi doesn¡¯t ask me to that wretched party within 24 hours, I¡¯m going to go ahead and ask¡¦hmm¡¦ Mizuki-kun,¡± Chiharu said with flames in her eyes.
¡°That¡¯s not a good idea,¡± Naoko said, sweat-dropping.
¡°I know,¡± Chiharu replied, head-drooped.
¡°No, not in that way. I mean, I asked him first, before I asked Matsumi-kun, and he rejected me—nicely, but all the same, I think he¡¯s not planning on going,¡± Naoko said.
Patting Sakura and Tomoyo¡¯s back, Chiharu sobbed, ¡°Poor us three beautiful girls, faithful to one man, yet scorned and abused.¡±
¡°Hehe¡¦ That¡¯s an exaggeration, Chiharu-chan,¡± Sakura said.
¡°You¡¯re right. You¡¯re an exception. If Syaoran doesn¡¯t ask you, go with Eron-kun. He¡¯s good-looking and vice-captain of the soccer team,¡± Chiharu said.
¡°But Li-kun is captain of the soccer team, top 10% in terms of grades, Romeo, and even better-looking,¡± Naoko said.
¡°Eron-kun is more handsome,¡± Chiharu argued, though personally she liked Syaoran better. Maybe she felt bitter because Syaoran and Takashi were friends.
¡°Eron has a prettier face,¡± Naoko conceded. ¡°But I think Sakura likes Syaoran better.¡±
¡°No she doesn¡¯t!¡± Chiharu said. ¡°She should like the guy who¡¯s more faithful to her better.¡±
¡°Well, that will be Eriol-kun then,¡± Naoko said.
¡°No, he¡¯s Tomoyo-chan¡¯s!¡±
Tomoyo and Sakura exchanged looks and smiled. They had such interesting, passionate friends.
Shaking her head, Miho said, ¡°I can¡¯t believe they¡¯re all older than me.¡±
Kero-chan, unnoticed, agreed.
******
¡°Whew, that math test today was really hard, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Sakura said after class. ¡°Hoe-e—I really needed to do well.¡±
¡°Forget math tests,¡± Chiharu said, fuming. ¡°Takashi-kun still hasn¡¯t asked me. And the dance is in four days. Four!¡±
¡°Chiharu!¡± Takashi called.
¡°What?¡± Chiharu snapped. ¡°Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m busy right now?¡±
¡°Let¡¯s go to the Winter Wonderland together,¡± Takashi said.
¡°No! Why should I go with you?¡± Chiharu said, crossing her arms. Everyone shook their heads. Sheer stubbornness.
¡°Chi-ha-ru!¡± Takashi goaded. ¡°Will you go with me if I get down on my knees again?¡±
¡°Maybe,¡± Chiharu replied, turning her head away, pretending to be disinterested.
Overdramatically, Takashi kneeled down and said, ¡°My darling Chiharu, may I have the honor to ask you to the Winter Wonderland once again this year?¡±
¡°Oh fine,¡± Chiharu relented, dragging Takashi back to his feet. A little audience had gathered to watch them. ¡°You¡¯re embarrassing me.¡±
¡°All¡¯s well that ends well,¡± Kai said, smiling. ¡°I didn¡¯t know teenagers could be so cute when it comes to silly Christmastime. How did Syao-kun ask you, Sakura-chan?¡± He imitated Syaoran¡¯s pose, hands in pockets, head stooped, and stammered, ¡°Umm¡¦ uh¡¦ S-s-s-sakura¡¦ c-c-can you¡¦ umm¡¦ can you¡¦ OUCH!¡± Kai rubbed his head and turned around.
¡°I heard that,¡± Syaoran said, cooling off his knuckles.
¡°Oops,¡± Kai said. ¡°Au revoir! I¡¯m off before Syao-kun blows up.¡± He turned to the girls and winked. ¡°My ladies, if your men ever need to take etiquette lessons, send them straight to me and Kai Magician-sama will set things straight.¡±
¡°Good to see Kai in such a good mood these days,¡± Sakura said, smiling.
¡°Really, that¡¯s a rarity,¡± Syaoran replied.
¡°You¡¯re the person to be saying that?¡± Sakura exclaimed.
¡°True,¡± Syaoran reflected. Okay, now¡¯s the perfect time; we¡¯re alone. ¡°Sakura¡¦¡±
¡°Oy, Sakura-chan!¡± Aki called out. ¡°You know for the Children¡¯s Hospital Christmas Project...¡±
¡°Talk to you later,¡± Sakura said, before heading over to Aki.
Slapping his forehead, Syaoran sighed. When would he ever find the right moment?
¡°At least it¡¯s a definite yes for you,¡± Tomoyo said.
Syaoran turned to his long-time supporter. He was taken back for he had never seen Tomoyo so subdued before. ¡°Hey, what are you talking about? There is no guy out there who wouldn¡¯t fall for you if they thought they had a chance.¡±
Shaking her head, Tomoyo replied, ¡°No, I know that he would not have taken a second glance at me if I weren¡¯t Sakura-chan¡¯s friend. But it¡¯s okay. I¡¯m still happy, having him so close by.¡±
¡°Eriol doesn¡¯t have a date yet, either. If you ask him to the Winter Wonderland, he would definitely not refuse you,¡± Syaoran said.
¡°This is a funny conversation we¡¯re having, isn¡¯t it?¡± Tomoyo asked, smiling. ¡°Syaoran-kun, when did you become such a good listener?¡±
¡°Ha ha¡¦ It is ironic, me trying to reassure you when you are the most composed person ever,¡± Syaoran commented. ¡°But either way, though I think you can do better than that creepy freak, if you ever need any support or just a sympathetic ear—I¡¯m here. You¡¯ve done more for me than I can every repay, back when I was a foolish little boy. Which I still am, but¡¦¡±
¡°You¡¯re a good person, Syaoran-kun, you really are,¡± Tomoyo said, looking up at Syaoran, tall and more mature looking than she recalled. Yes, even over the past several month he had grown, both physically and mentally. He was no longer the confused and awkward boy that had sought her for consolation back in elementary school. Sakura was really lucky to have him. But she kept this to herself. Here she was experiencing all the things he might have been feeling five years ago. Back then, she could empathize fully, yet even then, she did not understand fully. ¡°Syaoran-kun, you¡¯re going to ask her soon, aren¡¯t you?¡±
¡°Ah, yes,¡± Syaoran said sheepishly.
¡°Good luck!¡±
¡°You too, Tomoyo.¡± Syaoran smiled encouragingly.
******
Now is the chance, after school, no club meeting—I¡¯ll walk her home and ask her then, Syaoran thought, as he buttoned his coat and grabbed his book-bag. He took a deep breath. Then he looked around. Empty. The classroom was empty! Sakura had already gone home. He slammed his hand on his desk. ¡°NOOOO!!!¡± Quickly, he ran out of the classroom, to the school gates. Where was Sakura? How could she leave so quickly, when his efforts to isolate her was so painstakingly obvious?
¡°BOOO!!¡± Someone shoved him from behind.
¡°GAH!!!¡± Syaoran swung around. And there was Sakura, her cheeks flushed from the cold, her school hat slightly askew, her strands of her golden brown hair sticking out from her two braids. His heart thumped, and he gulped.
¡°Scared you!¡± Sakura laughed gleefully. ¡°Syaoran is a scaredy-cat!¡±
¡°Ahem. Sakura¡¦¡± Syaoran began.
¡°Oh, I have a big favor to ask you,¡± Sakura said. ¡°Sakura¡¯s Love-Love Action Plan #2: Create a perfect, isolated moment together.¡±
Raising up his hands in gratitude, Syaoran said, ¡°Yes, yes, exactly my point!¡±
Grabbing his hands, Sakura exclaimed, ¡°I¡¯m so glad that you understand, Syaoran-kun. I was afraid that you might refuse.¡±
¡°No, no, of course I can¡¯t refuse,¡± Syaoran replied.
¡°Thanks so much. So, can you go Christmas shopping with Eriol-kun? I¡¯ll be going with Tomoyo-chan,¡± Sakura explained rapidly.
¡°Eh?¡±
¡°And at the Piffle Princess store, you guys can pretend to bump into us,¡± Sakura said. ¡°And then, we¡¯ll leave, making up some kind of excuse, so that Eriol-kun and Tomoyo-chan can have a moment alone together.¡±
¡°EH?¡± Syaoran¡¯s eyes grew larger. What kind of an idiot of a girl was this? Here he was, in agony because he couldn¡¯t create a moment alone with her, and she was worrying about someone else¡¯s date problems? ¡°Why do I have to go shopping with that bastard? That is about the worst way I can spend an afternoon without club activities.¡±
¡°Y-you don¡¯t want to do it?¡± Sakura asked, hanging her head down. ¡°Poor Tomoyo-chan¡¦ This is the least I can do for her, yet if Syaoran doesn¡¯t want to¡¦¡± She turned her head away.
¡°Oh fine, I¡¯ll do it. I¡¯ll suffer for one afternoon for Tomoyo¡¯s sake. I owe her this much, too, though I must admit I do not know where she gets such eccentric taste in guys,¡± Syaoran said, shifting his foot, embarrassed.
¡°Really? Syaoran is the best!¡± Sakura squealed, throwing her arms around Syaoran¡¯s neck. He turned bright red. ¡°Okay then, give an hour, and I¡¯ll see you at Piffle Princess!¡±
¡°Sure¡¦¡± Syaoran replied, doubtfully. He saw Eriol walk out of the school. Scowling, he walked up to Eriol. ¡°Yo.¡±
¡°Hello, Li-kun,¡± Eriol said, amused. Since when did Li Syaoran come up to him and greet him? Maybe he was feeling the Christmas spirit also?
¡°Uh¡¦ Have you done Christmas shopping yet?¡± Syaoran asked.
¡°Actually, I haven¡¯t,¡± Eriol replied, even more baffled, but still smiling.
¡°Then¡¦ do you want to go do some last-minute Christmas shopping?¡± Syaoran asked.
¡°Sure, Li-kun,¡± Eriol said.
Thinking about it, I still didn¡¯t buy Sakura¡¯s Christmas present this year, Syaoran thought, carefully dodging people on the bustling streets. Last year was easy because it was obvious that the crystal star necklace was made for her. But this year, he had no clue what to get her.
Funny boy, Eriol mused, following behind Syaoran. He invited me to tag along, but he¡¯s completely wrapped up in his own thoughts and is completely ignoring my existence. ¡°Li-kun.¡±
Geez, how much longer do I have to stick around
with Eriol? My plan has gone all wrong. I was supposed to walk Sakura home, on
the way, stop by the
¡°Li-kun. Did you buy Sakura-san a present yet?¡± Eriol tried again.
¡°Eh? You were talking to me?¡± Syaoran asked. ¡°Sorry. No, I didn¡¯t. I don¡¯t know what to get her.¡±
¡°Get her something that she could remember you by,¡± Eriol said, smiling.
¡°Sure,¡± Syaoran replied, dubiously.
¡°Did you ask her to the Winter Wonderland yet?¡± Eriol asked.
Syaoran glared at Eriol. ¡°That¡¯s none of your business, is it?¡±
¡°Oh, if you haven¡¯t, maybe I should ask her,¡± Eriol said. ¡°She said that she went alone last year, and such a nice girl as Sakura-san shouldn¡¯t have to go to parties alone, especially the last one of junior high.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t even think about it,¡± Syaoran said flatly. ¡°I really don¡¯t appreciate your sense of humor. If you don¡¯t have a date, do ask Tomoyo. I don¡¯t want her to have to with that prince-syndrome, two-faced viper Eron again.¡± He pictured Sakura making a V sign with her fingers and exclaiming, ¡°Sakura¡¯s Love-Love Action Plan #3: Friends give hints and encouragement to the clueless being.¡±
¡°If Li-kun gives leave, I will gladly ask Tomoyo-san,¡± Eriol said. ¡°I¡¯m glad that I¡¯m still higher up on your list of favorable people than Chang Eron.¡±
Thank goodness¡¦ It¡¯s been an hour. Ignoring Eriol¡¯s comment, because it might not necessarily be true, Syaoran said, ¡°Let¡¯s go to that store!¡± He pointed to the pink store with the Piffle Princess crown logo on the front.
¡°Piffle Princess store? How Sakura-san-like,¡± Eriol said, smiling.
¡°Ah yeah,¡± Syaoran sweat-dropped. Did Eriol guess already and was he playing along?
¡°Syaoran!¡± Sakura exclaimed when he and Eriol entered the store. ¡°What a coincidence? Are you doing Christmas shopping too?¡±
¡°Uh¡¦ Yeah,¡± Syaoran muttered.
¡°Us too!¡± Sakura exclaimed, overenthusiastically.
Tomoyo looked up surprised to see Eriol walk up. ¡°Good afternoon, Sakura-san, Tomoyo-san.¡±
¡°Eriol-kun!¡± Tomoyo exclaimed. She stared at Sakura suspiciously. Sakura winked.
¡°Oh, Syaoran-kun, can you help me choose some ski equipment?¡± Sakura said. ¡°The sports store is near by.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t ski¡¦¡± Syaoran began, but Sakura kicked him in the shin. ¡°Ah, yes, sure!¡±
¡°Sakura-chan¡¦ I¡¯ve been skiing for ten years now¡¦¡± Tomoyo trailed off. ¡°I could have helped you.¡±
¡°No, no. Didn¡¯t you have to buy something here?¡± Sakura said, sending eye signals.
But Tomoyo was still lost. ¡°You said let¡¯s come to Piffle Princess, Sakura-chan.¡±
Ah, this would never do. Sakura is even worse at acting than I am. Syaoran took Sakura¡¯s hand and turned his head back, raising his eyebrows to send a signal to Tomoyo. ¡°I need some time alone with Sakura.¡± He turned to Eriol. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to leave you in the middle. I¡¯ll take Sakura home, so if you can take Tomoyo¡¦¡±
¡°Sure, leave that to me,¡± Eriol replied, catching on.
¡°Hoe?¡± Sakura turned to look up at Syaoran. His large hands were so warm that she could feel it through her wool gloves. Her heart thumped.
¡°Hurry, just follow me.¡± Syaoran dragged Sakura out of the store.
Videotaping the two melt into the street, hand in hand, Tomoyo exclaimed, ¡°Why, Sakura-chan should have just told me that she needed some time alone with Syaoran-kun, so that he could ask her to the Winter Wonderland. How clever of Syaoran-kun—he¡¯s really come a long way.¡±
¡°So, do you have someone you¡¯re going to the dance with?¡± Eriol asked walking towards Tomoyo and fingering the stuffed dolls on the shelves.
¡°N-no,¡± Tomoyo stammered, realizing that she was alone with Eriol now. Little she did know that Sakura¡¯s Love-Love Action Plan #3 was: Once the isolated situation is created, let the well-mannered Eriol take care of the rest.
Turning to Tomoyo with glimmering midnight blue eyes, Eriol said, ¡°Then may I have the honor of escorting you to the Winter Wonderland, Tomoyo-san?¡±
Taken back, Tomoyo blinked her large violet eyes. Then, warmth flooded to her cheeks. ¡°Yes, Eriol-kun!¡±
¡°Whew, things better work out fine for Tomoyo,¡± Syaoran said. ¡°That¡¯s the worst kind of torture imaginable, trying to converse cordially with the glass-eyed freak. He¡¯s a little better than the pony-tailed, effeminate twin number one. So now, should we check out the ski equipment?¡±
¡°Hoe? That was just an excuse, Syaoran!¡± Sakura exclaimed. She blushed. He was still holding her hand. Walking together, holding hands, on a winter day. How unbelievable yet undeniably pleasant. ¡°Uh—did you need time alone with me?¡±
¡°Eh? Oh, that was and excuse too,¡± Syaoran replied hastily.
¡°Oh.¡± Sakura looked down at her boots, disappointed. ¡°Really. Well, thank you for playing along—I know you¡¯re not that fond of Eriol-kun. I would have asked Kai-kun, but he likes Eriol-kun about as much as you do, or less if that¡¯s possible.¡±
This time, it was Syaoran¡¯s turn to say, ¡°Oh.¡± So she asked him as a replacement, not because he was any more special than any other guy. Wasn¡¯t he the first in line to turn to if she needed help?
¡°Well, then, Syaoran, I¡¯ll see you at school tomorrow,¡± Sakura said.
¡°Huh? I¡¯ll walk you home,¡± Syaoran said quickly. She was not leaving already? When he finally had her isolated.
¡°No, it¡¯s okay. I can go by myself—you¡¯re apartment is in the opposite direction, anyway,¡± Sakura replied curtly. She turned around then halted.
¡°Changed your mind? Really, it¡¯s no problem, I¡¯ll walk you home¡¦¡± Syaoran paused. No. It wasn¡¯t a change of mind on her part. It was him. He was still holding her hand, so she could not leave. Blushing, he let go hastily.
¡°Good evening, Syaoran,¡± Sakura said, walking off, drawing her red coat around her tighter. The left hand she held to her pounding chest still tingled with warmth from his.
Shoot, I forgot to ask her! Syaoran realized. ¡°Sakura!¡± His voice was drowned by the Christmas carols blasting out from the speakers. Well, this is for the better, having her leave. Now I can look for her Christmas present. Or so he tried to comfort himself.
Hmm¡¦ Something Sakura could remember me by? Why
do I have to listen to that person¡¯s advise? But what
can I get for her? It was so much easier last year when I knew what she wanted.
The streetlamps and the Christmas lights decorating the stores lighted the streets as the sun set. Something special for my one and only special Sakura.
TICK TOCK TICK TOCK¡¦
What is this steady sound? It¡¯s somewhat soothing, somewhat rhythmic. Following the ticking sound of clocks, Syaoran entered a clock store, embedded at the end of the street, almost unnoticeable amidst all the flashiness of the other stores. As he looked around, his eyes widened—never had he seen more clocks stored in one place. Grandfather clocks with pendulums, cuckoo clocks with cuckoos that popped out on the chime, cat-shaped clocks, owl-shaped clocks, large standing clocks, small hanging clocks, all sorts of clocks imaginable. In a corner, he saw various watches on display in a glass case. One small watch caught his eyes—the straps were made of thin elongated stainless steel wires twisted in an elegant vine like fashion, and the face of the watch was tinted pale pink shaped like a five-leaved flower, the clock handles like thin, frail flower stamens with crystals at the points. It was very pretty, something Sakura would like.
¡°I¡¯ll like to take that,¡± Syaoran said to the old saleslady.
¡°Good choice,¡± the old woman said, holding out her left wrist to show him her watch. ¡°Very beautiful, elegantly fashioned by hand. See, my son got it for me, because I liked the design so much—reminded me of the watches in the olden days, not the mass-produced, ugly, plastic things they produce these days. Whoever you¡¯re getting it for will be very happy.¡±
Smiling, Syaoran said, ¡°I hope so too. Can you gift-wrap it please?¡±
Syaoran doesn¡¯t want to go to the Winter Wonderland with me. Sakura sighed, sending a mist of warm air from her mouth in the chill winter night air as she shuffled down the streets, rubbing her hands together. She knew he did not like social events, but he went with Erika last year. Anyway, I need to find Syaoran a Christmas present. I didn¡¯t have the time to make him anything this year. And the things I make are so poor in quality, anyway. He got me such an expensive gift last year¡¦ I felt bad because all I gave him was an embroidery—I spent many hours and put lots of effort into it, but still¡¦
Automatically, her hand when to her neckline. The crystal pendant was not there anymore; Kaitou Magician had stolen it. He better give it back one of these days.
TICK TOCK TICK TOCK¡¦
Where is the sound coming from? The sound makes me nostalgic for some reason. A store at the end of the street caught her eye. She entered the quaint, antiquely decorated store and was greeted with the sight of all sorts of clocks in different sizes and shapes, all ticking merrily. ¡°What a wonderful store!¡± she gasped.
¡°It is, isn¡¯t it?¡± an old lady with silvery hair said, tottering out from the counter. ¡°Come in and look around, pretty young lady.¡± She raised her left hand and waved it around, beckoning at the clocks around her.
¡°Wow, that¡¯s such a pretty watch,¡± Sakura said, when she saw the strange, olden style and elegant watch glint from the woman¡¯s wrist.
¡°Yes, it¡¯s from this store too,¡± the woman said.
¡°Do you have more of them?¡± Sakura asked, feeling a little selfish for asking.
¡°No, I¡¯m sorry, miss. I just sold the last one a little while ago,¡± the lady said. Sakura looked so disappointed that she added, ¡°But there¡¯s a men¡¯s version, also, which is slightly larger and leaf-themed instead of flower-themed.¡±
Sakura brightened. ¡°Can I see that?¡±
******
¡°Really? He asked you? That¡¯s great!¡± Sakura squealed at school the next day.
Tomoyo looked around embarrassed. ¡°It was really unexpected. But thank you Sakura. For yesterday.¡±
¡°No, it¡¯s thanks to Syaoran. If he hadn¡¯t play along¡¦¡± Sakura smiled wistfully.
¡°And you? He still didn¡¯t ask you yesterday, when you had a moment alone together?¡± Tomoyo questioned.
¡°No¡¦¡± Sakura said. Then again, maybe it was her fault for not giving him the opportunity? No, he probably didn¡¯t want to go with her, that¡¯s all. But that was no big surprise.
At that moment, Eron tapped her shoulder. ¡°Sakura, do you have a moment?¡±
¡°Huh?¡± Sakura followed Eron outside the classroom, warily. ¡°What is it Eron-kun?¡±
It seemed for a split second that Eron actually was nervous because he shifted uncomfortably from one foot to another, and he was staring at the ground instead of gazing at her self-assuredly like usual. Finally, he said, ¡°You probably hate me, but still, all the same, do you want to go to the Winter Wonderland with me?¡±
Taken back, Sakura stammered, ¡°Ah, I-I don¡¯t hate you.¡±
¡°Not even after all that I did?¡± Eron questioned skeptically.
¡°Not even after all that you did,¡± Sakura replied forthrightly.
¡°Then you will go to the Winter Wonderland with me, won¡¯t you?¡± Eron repeated.
¡°Uh, that, I—I¡¦¡± Sakura struggled helplessly. How could she reject Eron without hurting his feelings? How could she convey that there was only one person, ever since last year that she wanted to go to the Winter Wonderland with, but he didn¡¯t want her? Yet, she could not refuse him, and she was in no position to refuse one of the most popular, sought-out guys in Seijou Junior High when she, herself, was dateless. Besides, she did not want Eron to think that she held a grudge against him.
¡°Well?¡± Eron prodded impatiently. ¡°I won¡¯t be disappointed or surprised if you say no. If you don¡¯t want to, I¡¯m fine. But if you do, that would make this the best Christmas ever.¡±
¡°I¡¦¡± Sakura gulped. Why not? Why not? It would make her Christmas Eve miserable, but if it would make Eron that happy.
¡°I¡¯m sorry Chang Eron, but Sakura¡¯s going to the Winter Wonderland with me,¡± Syaoran interrupted, stepping out of the doorway and standing next to Sakura.
¡°Hoe?¡± Sakura swerved around to bump into Syaoran, who steadied her.
¡°Humph. Figured,¡± Eron said, disgusted. ¡°Well, next time. Next time we¡¯ll see.¡± He reentered the classroom.
¡°Whew,¡± Sakura sighed in relief as Eron left.
¡°You idiot, why can¡¯t you ever say no to people?¡± Syaoran berated, turning around to face Sakura. Sakura¡¯s heart jumped at Syaoran¡¯s sudden outburst.
¡°B-but,¡± Sakura looked down at her feet and said honestly, ¡°I think I almost said yes.¡±
¡°Don¡¯t say yes to people out of pity,¡± Syaoran said, frowning. ¡°At this rate, you¡¯ll end up going to the ball with someone like Aki, who always takes advantage of girls.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t want to go with Aki,¡± Sakura refuted. Yes, it¡¯s true. I was saying yes out of
pity¡¦And that¡¯s not benefiting anyone, not even Eron-kun.
¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯ll have to take you to the Winter Wonderland myself,¡± Syaoran sighed.
It finally registered in Sakura¡¯s mind how Syaoran had gotten rid of Eron. ¡°Huh?¡±
¡°Why, if you would rather go with Eron¡¦¡± Syaoran looked away.
You idiot, he scolded himself. Just tell her honestly that you want her
and only her.
¡°No, no, it¡¯s not that,¡± Sakura corrected quickly, blushing. Then she demanded accusingly, ¡°And it¡¯s not out of pity?¡±
¡°Do I have to explain everything out in plain words, or do you know me well enough to take things as they are?¡± Syaoran asked, flustered. His words were joking, but Sakura saw that his amber eyes were earnest.
¡°Hoe-e¡¦¡± Sakura stepped back, shifting nervously.
It looked like Syaoran was going to scold her more but at that moment Aki, flipping his long bleached bangs back from his eyes, sauntered up to Sakura and said, ¡°Sakura-chan, do you want to¡¦¡±
¡°No, she does not.¡± Syaoran cut him off.
¡°Shucks. How can it be that the great Aki-sama does not have a date yet?¡± Aki lamented as he continued to walk down the hall. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s safer to be steady with one girl, after all, to save me from all this trouble.¡±
Syaoran and Sakura glanced at each other and laughed. Clearly, Aki had no clue what he was talking about.
******
¡°Okay, tomorrow¡¯s Christmas Eve, and we¡¯ll head over to the
¡°Check,¡± Miho replied.
¡°Candies and cookies?¡± Aki continued, reading off the list.
¡°Check,¡± Sakura replied.
¡°Decorations?¡±
¡°Check,¡± Naoko replied.
¡°Choir?¡±
¡°Check,¡± Tomoyo replied.
¡°Act 1: Magic Show,¡± Aki continued. There was no response. ¡°Mizuki Kai? Where is Mizuki-kun?¡±
¡°Umm¡¦ I don¡¯t think he came to school today,¡± Sakura said. It was rather surprising since Kai had been pretty diligent in school attendance lately.
¡°Ooh¡¦ if does not show up tomorrow, I would really get mad at him,¡± Aki said, scowling. Ever since the first day, Kai had been a nuisance to him.
******
Time in
A white bird flew on top of a branch, outside the window.
Thinking about it, the bird looked quite familiar. Meilin sighed again. Yes,
she was lonely in
Stupid! Why am I thinking of him? Meilin shook her head, trying to get rid of his image. She could almost hear his shrill, melodic whistle which he used to call his doves to him. Why him? I hate him, I really do. No, I don¡¯t, but I have no respect for him, whatsoever.
So rapt in her thought, Meilin did not even realize that it was already lunch break. There was a bunch of girls gathered by the window, gossiping loudly.
¡°Oh my god, that guy standing by the school gates is so hot!¡± one of Meilin¡¯s classmates said. ¡°I don¡¯t think he goes to our school—he¡¯s not wearing our uniform.¡±
¡°I don¡¯t know. He looks kind of scary,¡± another girl with
glasses said. ¡°Kind of like a delinquent. Or
¡°But he¡¯s still hot. Humph. Wish there¡¯s someone like him in our school.¡±
The girls glared at the guys in their class.
¡°Ever since Li Syaoran left, coming to school¡¯s been a
bore,¡± the first girl stated. ¡°He was the hottest guy in all of
¡°Yeah, I wonder how he has such a cousin,¡± another girl whispered, glancing quickly at Meilin, who tilted her chin up and pretended to be absorbed in gathering her school books.
¡°I know; she thinks she¡¯s so great because she¡¯s Li Syaoran¡¯s cousin—but she¡¯s not good at anything. Syaoran was good-looking, athletic, smart, and talented in every aspect in contrast,¡± the glass-girl said.
¡°And did you see how sulky she is these days because Syaoran transferred to Japan? It¡¯s totally unfair how she also gets to skip more than a month of school like that, and the teacher doesn¡¯t say anything, just because she¡¯s a Li.¡±
Setting her lips in a firm line, Meilin gathered up her books and shoved them in her book-bag, pushed her chair back loudly, got up and swept by the girls, glaring at them before passing by. They ignored her and snickered amongst themselves.
¡°Hey look, the hot guy is still standing there,¡± the original girl stated. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s waiting for someone.¡±
¡°Really? Lucky girl. He¡¯s just my ideal! Spiked hair, sunglasses, tall, muscular¡¦¡± a classmate sighed.
¡°Eh?¡± Ears perking, Meilin peeked out the window. There stood a dismayingly familiar figure, all in black as usual, with a white parrot perched on his shoulder. Never did he fail to surprise her. She slid the window open and stuck her head outside and demanded, ¡°Mizuki Kai, what are you doing here?¡±
Catching sight of her, Kai waved flashily and shouted, ¡°Ni hao Mei-chan!¡±
All the students who had been sauntering outside during break stared up at the open second floor window.
¡°Do you know him, Li Meilin?¡± someone asked.
¡°Ah¡¦ he¡¯s kind of an old acquaintance of mine,¡± Meilin stammered.
¡°Meilin! Are you going to keep me waiting? Or do you want me to go up to fetch you?¡± Kai called out.
Meilin blushed. ¡°You wait down there, Mizuki Kai!¡± she called back, before shutting the window again and running down the stairs, out the building, to the front gate. Her classmates were left gaping.
As Meilin approached, panting, Kai ran up to her and squeezed her into a tight hug, which surprised her so much that she dropped her book-bag. ¡°Move away from me,¡± she snapped, pushing Kai back and picking up her bag, turning red because everyone was still staring at her through the classroom windows.
¡°Mei-chan always gives me the warmest welcomes,¡± Kai proclaimed. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me I don¡¯t even get a kiss for all my troubles coming here?¡±
¡°In your dreams,¡± Meilin said, nose pointed to the air. ¡°What are you doing here, anyway?¡±
¡°I came to see you,¡± Kai replied flirtatiously wrapping his arm around her shoulder.
She shoved his hand away. ¡°Well, I¡¯m sorry to disappoint you, but I¡¯m busy today.¡±
¡°Really? That¡¯s too bad.¡± From the air, he drew out two tickets and dangled it in front of Meilin¡¯s face.
¡°What¡¯s that?¡± Meilin asked, snatching it from him and examining it. Her eyes rounded.
¡°Roundtrip airplane tickets to
Meilin looked up at Kai, lower lips quivering.
¡°You don¡¯t have to look at me so lovingly all of a sudden,¡± Kai said, looking away embarrassed. ¡°It¡¯s my early Christmas present for you.¡±
¡°But—this is such an expensive gift,¡± Meilin said. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say. I-I didn¡¯t even get you a present.¡±
Winking over his sunglasses, Kai said, ¡°They say that a present that can create a lasting memory is more precious than an item. Besides, I didn¡¯t say the ticket was for free.¡±
¡°Eh?¡±
¡°In return, I want you to be my partner for the Winter Wonderland tomorrow tonight.¡±
¡°EHHHH?¡±
¡°Well then, let¡¯s go,¡± Kai said.
¡°Where?¡± Meilin said, recovering. ¡°I¡¯m in the middle of school.¡±
¡°Come on, it¡¯s almost Christmas and you have a guest. Aren¡¯t
you going to show me around
¡°You probably know it better than I do,¡± Meilin muttered, following him reluctantly.
¡°True true,¡± Kai conceded. He had
memorized the entire map of
¡°You¡¯re turning me into a delinquent student also,¡± Meilin continued reproachfully.
¡°Good,¡± Kai chuckled.
¡°Ah, I¡¯m hungry,¡± Kai said, as they walked down the docks, breathing in the salty, cold winter sea breeze.
¡°Oh, I have my bento—I didn¡¯t get a chance to eat lunch,¡± Meilin said. They sat down on one of the wooden benches, and she fished out her lunchbox.
¡°Mmmm! I missed Mei-chan¡¯s cooking,¡± Kai said, opening the bento eagerly.
Watching the rate in which Kai shoveled down the food into his mouth, Meilin said, ¡°Slow down; you¡¯re going to choke.¡± She took out her thermos and poured hot tea into the cup and handed it to Kai, who gulped it down eagerly. ¡°Hasn¡¯t Syaoran been feeding you lately?¡±
Wrinkling his nose, Kai replied after swallowing, ¡°He¡¯s been too busy making Christmas cards and stuff to cook dinner these days. I think the last meal I had was yesterday lunch.¡±
¡°I¡¯m not even going to bother scolding you anymore,¡± Meilin said, shaking her head. Then she smiled slightly. ¡°Even so, you¡¯re hands are pretty when you hold chopsticks. You can hold it correctly. I can¡¯t but Syaoran holds chopsticks prettily too—Aunt Ieran is strict about table manners.¡±
¡°Syaoran, Syaoran, it¡¯s always darling Syaoran,¡± Kai muttered, draining the water bottle. ¡°Aren¡¯t you eating?¡±
¡°I¡¯m not hungry,¡± Meilin replied. ¡°I had a big breakfast.¡±
¡°Well then, what do you want to do—we have a couple hours till departure time,¡± Kai said.
¡°Ah, I have some last-minute Christmas shopping to do,¡± Meilin replied.
¡°So, what are we waiting for? Let¡¯s go!¡± Kai said, leaping to his feet.
Walking next to Kai down the bustling
streets of the
¡°Don¡¯t get that,¡± Kai said when Meilin picked out a flower shaped bracelet. ¡°The gold gilt will peel off in one week.¡± The salesperson made a nasty face at Kai.
¡°Look, that¡¯s perfect for Sakura-chan!¡± Meilin pointed to a warm tan-colored teddy bear key-chan with a red Santa hat.
¡°Haha¡¦ Yeah, she¡¯s silly for stuffed animals,¡± Kai said. ¡°Hey, you should get this hat.¡± He plunked a huge pom-pom ended knit hat over Meilin¡¯s head, regardless of mussing up her hair carefully pinned into buns.
¡°Hey!¡± Meilin squealed. She grabbed another Santa-hat and pulled it on Kai¡¯s head.
Adjusting the Santa-hat in a rakish angle, Kai bowed elegantly. ¡°Kaitou Santa at your service.¡±
Humph. He¡¯s probably the sexiest Santa around. Why does he look good in everything? But Meilin couldn¡¯t help laughing as Kai pretended to draw candy canes out of thin air and handed them out to the little children passing by, who squealed, ¡°Sunglass Santa!!!¡±
¡°Brrr¡¦ It¡¯s cold,¡± Meilin said. ¡°Let¡¯s go into the department store.¡±
¡°It¡¯s cold here?¡± Kai asked, astounded. ¡°This is really
nothing compared to
¡°I hate being cold though,¡± Meilin grumbled, wishing she had worn a thicker coat. ¡°Aren¡¯t you cold, in that thin leather jacket? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re wearing a sleeveless shirt underneath again.¡±
¡°Seriously, it¡¯s not cold at all,¡± Kai replied. ¡°You don¡¯t know what it¡¯s like to be truly cold.¡±
¡°Still. You never dress warmly enough, always running around without a jacket, always half-dressed at home. You¡¯ll catch a cold.¡±
¡°Aww¡¦ Are you worried for me?¡± Kai pinched Meilin¡¯s red cheeks. ¡°I¡¯m so touched.¡±
From a store across the street, Li Fanren said, peering down the street, ¡°Fuutie, isn¡¯t cousin Meilin over there? She¡¯s with a hot guy—do we know him?¡±
¡°My, our little Meilin is all grown-up, dating with a boy before Christmas,¡± Fuutie said.
¡°Sigh, while we¡¯re still single? Ah, even our baby brother should have a girlfriend by now.¡±
¡°I say Syaoran scores for standing up to Uncle for once,¡± Fanren said. ¡°Though Mother¡¯s not too happy about it.¡±
¡°Hmm¡¦ That guys¡¯ pretty good-looking—I wish I can see him without those shades,¡± Fuutie said, craning her neck. ¡°He doesn¡¯t seem to be from around here, does he?¡±
¡°But he kind of looks familiar—I think I¡¯ve seen him around before,¡± Fanren replied. Their cousin and the mysterious boy disappeared into the department. They sighed. It was going to bet another lonely Christmas without their baby brother to boss around.
Walking down the isles in the department store, Meilin said, ¡°I still didn¡¯t get Syaoran a Christmas present. What should I get him?¡±
Kai replied shortly, ¡°I don¡¯t know. You know him best.¡±
¡°Hmm¡¦ Let¡¯s look at the coats over there.¡± Meilin walked over to the clothes racks and picked through the various coats. She picked out a thick, wool black long coat. ¡°What about this? Don¡¯t you think it will look good on Syaoran?¡±
¡°If it¡¯s from Meilin, he would love it,¡± Kai said quietly, looking around him at all the blissful faces of the shoppers. Little children holding their parents¡¯ hands, laughing heartily and carrying bulging shopping bags, couples flushed and smiling into each other¡¯s eyes, groups of friends bickering and giggling. Then, he stared at Meilin¡¯s face. She was rapt holding up the coat to the light, examining the seams, then turned to him.
¡°I can¡¯t get a sense of the size. You and Syaoran have the same built, right? Can you try it on to see if it fits? I bet it¡¯ll fit Syaoran if it fits you.¡±
¡°Huh?¡±
Meilin had already peeled off his leather jacket and straightened the long coat on him.
¡°Turn around,¡± she said. ¡°Let me see it in different angles.¡±
Obediently, Kai circled around, feeling very foolish.
¡°How does it fit?¡± Meilin asked, fingering the fabric. ¡°I think it looks good. And this is fine-combed wool—soft, thick and warm. I hope Syaoran will like it.¡±
¡°Of course,¡± Kai said smiling at Meilin, ever so caring of
Syaoran. This was the first time in years that he would be spending
Christmastime with someone. Last Christmas, he had been all alone in the
basement of a rundown building somewhere in
¡°You can take it off now,¡± Meilin said. She took the coat to the counter and said as she waited for the salesperson to fold the coat into a box and gift-wrap it, ¡°Syaoran hates the cold too.¡±