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1 As most of us know, the official manga ending is that Sakura confessed her love for Syaoran before he went back
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2 to Hong Kong. Then at around junior high age, Syaoran came back to Japan and they met again and lived happily
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3 ever after. MU-HAHAHA~ not according to the unofficial yuri fans!
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4
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5 " " quotations mean dialogue
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6 {thoughts of the individual}
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7 [translation of japanese vocabulary/ expressions or author's comments]
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8
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9 THE GREATEST GIFT by K BARON
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10 htmkmugen@hotmail.com
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11
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12 Several months passed after Syaoran and Sakura have been a couple. It's after school. Tomoyo and Sakura are walking home
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13 together.
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14
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15 Tomoyo casually asks, "Sakura chan, you have something planned for this weekend with Syaoran san?"
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16
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17 Sakura's head is down, contemplating.
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18
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19 Tomoyo gently shakes her friend's arm:"Sakura chan."
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20
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21 Sakura's head picks up, "Huh? Oh, he has soccer practice this Saturday so..." A soft sigh follows.
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22
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23 Tomoyo, alarmed, comforts Sakura:"Syaoran san is trying to socialize more with others in his class. That's why he joined team
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24 sports. He's more out going now. Isn't he? He's been changing a lot FOR YOU, ne."
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25
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26 Sakura murmurs, "yeah...but he shouldn't have to. I mean, aren't couples just "meant to be soul mates"? Look at Onii san and
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27 Yukito san, they just, they just match. They don't have to change their personalities, and so on. But we, I almost start every
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28 conversation. And the places he takes me to, I like the things he plans, but when I tell him 'let's try this!' he agrees, yes, he
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29 ALWAYS agree with me. He never upsets me. But sometimes I feel that he doesn't like my 'wild side'. But he says he likes me
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30 because I'm different." Sakura slows down her steps, turns to her best friend for advice.
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31
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32 Tomoyo's eyes are full of concern but her voice is calm," Sakura chan, boys and girls are supposed to like different things.
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33 When you go out, you two have to compromise. That's how a relationship lasts. He may be a bit more reserved and cautious,
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34 but Syaoran san is right. You are different. You can learn from each other, ne. After all, what really matters is, that he cares
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35 about you; you can trust him; and you can count on him to protect you regardless of what danger lies ahead." Tomoyo finishes
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36 her speech with a reassuring smile, but WHO is she trying to convince? {i care about Sakura too; she can trust me too. Why
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37 can't I---BUT I CAN'T PROTECT HER. LOOK WHAT I WAS DOING WHEN THE CLOW CARDS ATTACKED
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38 HER. SYAORAN SAN BATTLED WITH HER. I JUST VIDEOTAPED! And, I can never provide Sakura a family...}
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39
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40 Sakura is still absorbing the complex advice Tomoyo has given her when she suddenly catches sight of Tomoyo's sad
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41 expression: "What's wrong? Tomoyo chan? You're worrying about me and Syaoran san? Oh, Tomoyo chan..." Sakura is
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42 deeply touched. She naturally reaches out and holds her friend's hand gently, but firmly. Unfortunately, her act of gratitude and
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43 friendship only causes Tomoyo's heart to twitch.
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44
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45 Tomoyo turns her eyes away, fearing any further revelation of her emotions. But her voice betrays her anyway when she says,
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46 "Sakura chan, don't worry about me. It's YOU TWO I'm worrying about. Syaoran san is a quiet person. If there's a problem,
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47 you got to call him up first. He may seem tough, but he's soft inside. Remember be tactful when you bring up any suggestions."
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48
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49 Sakura:"Tactful? Hoe? Such as...?" Tomoyo has a sweat drop now ^_^ "Sakura chan, if you don't mind, really, it's between the
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50 two of you, but I can be the messenger for you two if you can't figure out what to say to him..." Tomoyo's heart races when she
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51 offers her help. All these months Sakura and Syaoran have been going out, Tomoyo has almost been like a "movie extra" who
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52 had no schedule as to when or where to meet with Sakura. If she can participate somehow in the relationship, doing something
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53 special for Sakura, she would DIE FOR IT. After all, she chose Syaoran for her. If it turns out to be a wrong match and
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54 Sakura's heart breaks, Tomoyo cannot possibly forgive herself.
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55
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56 "Ok, I guess..." Sakura accepted her friend's help. {Well, relationships are private matters and telephone 3-way conference is
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57 DEFINITELY not the thing, but I guess Tomoyo is a better speaker than I. Maybe I'll just ask her what to say and then tell
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58 Syaoran san myself.}
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59
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60 It's a sunny Saturday. The soccer field is empty now that the players have finished their practice. Sakura fiddles with her purse,
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61 waiting at the school gate for Syaoran to have their discussion, as per Tomoyo's cleverly drafted instructions. Syaoran quickly
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62 spotted the brown haired girl and walked towards her.
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63
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64 The couple is facing each other. Sakura stumbles with words: "Hi, Syaoran san, can we---do you have time? How about we go
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65 to the park? I---"
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66
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67 Syaoran:"Sure, I have something to talk to you too." Then the silent couple walks to the park.
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68
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69 Today is different. Syaoran speaks first:"Sakura san...if I...if I haven't come back from Hong Kong, would you, would you have
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70 met someone else?...Maybe you would have met someone else wonderful?"
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71
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72 Sakura is totally thrown out of rhythm. Forget about the lines Tomoyo has given her. This is too much of a blow. Syaoran
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73 hardly ever asks things, especially personal things, so directly. The tone is not accusing, rather doubtful of himself.
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74
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75 Sakura:"What? Where does that come from?? Someone else? Who? Wonderful? You're not wonderful? Syaoran san, I only
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76 want to go out with you---is it Yamamura senpai? [senpai is an honourific suffix for schoolmates or colleagues senior to you]
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77 He's just been showing me how to skate board and his sports collections. Those weren't dates! You trust me don't you?"
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78
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79 Syaoran:" Of course I trust you, Sakura san. It's not that. I'm just saying, I'm just proposing, if I was never there to meet you
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80 again, wouldn't you have found someone else who would make you happier? I've changed a lot. And I'm willing to do it for
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81 you. But it's still the same me. It always will. Maybe, maybe..."
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82
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83 Sakura, frustrated, not understanding where all these ideas have come from, finishes the sentence for Syaoran:" we don't
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84 match? Is that what you're trying to say? Who matches then? Like onii san {brother} and Yukito san? Tomoyo chan says,
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85 doesn't really matter we're different, as long as we care about each other, and trust each other and, and---" In the midst of
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86 panic, Sakura searches for exactly what Tomoyo's advice was. However, Syaoran has a mind of his own:" What else did
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87 Tomoyo san say? You listen to everything Tomoyo san tell you?"
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88
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89 Sakura can't deal with so many questions shooting at her all at once, especially most of them are so pointed. Sakura loses her
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90 calm: "Syaoran san, stop. I don't know. What're you trying to say?? I can't talk to Tomoyo chan when I have problems? Who
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91 else will I talk to? Sometimes when we're together, I feel like I'm talking to a stone wall. You're so wrapped up. Our
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92 relationship is private, I know, but I have no one except her. Besides, she always understands."
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93
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94 Syaoran flatly asks,"and I don't?" Silence fills the air afterwards.
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95
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96 Syaoran knows he talks too much today. He's not good at speech in the first place, let alone deep thoughts and emotional
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97 topics, with the one he cares so much about. He probably has confused her, maybe even hurt her. He'd better stop talking
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98 now. He intently looks at Sakura, and told her that he is sorry, he probably said too much, and he'd need some time to think
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99 over this entire situation. He'll call her soon. Out of genuine concern, he reaches out his hand and offers to walk her home.
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100 However, Sakura was already deep into the pit of confused anger, and she flatly refuses his offer, saying that she will be fine,
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101 and starts to skate away, in the direction of Tomoyo's mansion.
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102
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103 Tomoyo is stunned when the servant leads the completely drenched Sakura into the guestroom. Sakura is not only shaking with
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104 coldness, but her left knee is bleeding. She must have slipped while she was skating to the mansion. Being overwhelmed by the
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105 pain Sakura must be suffering, Tomoyo embraces her dear friend for almost an eternity. Slowly she releases her arms, and
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106 reassures Sakura that no matter what happened, she will make it better for her. After being carefully (and lovingly) bandaged
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107 by Tomoyo, Sakura is led to the bathroom to take a shower.
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108
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109 "Kiya~" Screams of pain from the bathroom send Tomoyo rushing to the door, knocking the door violently:"Sakura chan! Are
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110 you alright?"
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111
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112 "Oh, Tomoyo chan, I'm fine. It's just that the warm water sprinkles on my bandage but the wound still hurts~"
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113
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114 "Oh, Sakura chan, gomen ne [sorry], you do need to wash your wound. But try cover it with a cloth so the water won't come
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115 in direct contact with your knee."
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116
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117 "Ok, I'll try that. Hm...It's better now. Oh, Tomoyo chan, thanks. I don't know what to do without you. I'm sorry I ran into
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118 your home like this. I, I..." {words can't express how I feel...Tomoyo chan. Can't you read my thoughts? my pain? I hope you
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119 understand, 'cuz seems like no one else does}
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120
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121 "Sakura chan, I'm glad you made it here. It's pouring outside. You should have called me and I could have picked you up
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122 wherever. You still have my cell phone right? Don't worry. When you come out, we'll talk things out, what ever it is." {You see,
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123 there're so many things I still have to help you with, like picking the wedding dress, choosing baby clothes, etc. When one day
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124 you finally grow up and don't need me anymore, you can forget me. You can lose touch with me. I'll let go. I promise. Our
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125 memories will be enough. I'll always be there...} Tomoyo collapses by the door, but quickly comes back to her senses and
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126 stands up again.
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127
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128 After the shower, Sakura's cheeks return to their usual rosy colour, but still lost their shine. Her eyes are drooping too. Tomoyo
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129 carefully analyses the conversation between Sakura and Syaoran at the park:" I think he's critical of himself, not you. He
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130 expects a lot from himself, believing that you deserve more happiness than he's giving you right now. I guess he's a believer of
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131 "soul mate" theory too? I don't think he minds that you share your problems with me. After all, I'm the matchmaker and I hold
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132 some responsibility for the outcome of your relationship. Maybe he wishes that you can turn to him for answers, instead of
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133 turning to me."
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134
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135 Sakura's eyes are wide open:" He's jealous? Of you, not Yamamura senpai? You're the best companion to talk to, that's what
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136 best friends are for. I can't turn to him for a lot of things, girl stuff for example. No, he got it wrong. I can and I should still talk
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137 to you. But he's gotta change---" Sakura realizes her own hypocrisy. She's just told Syaoran moments ago that being different
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138 is actually good, that they can learn from each other. Then she wishes him to be more open like she. {WE DON'T
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139 MATCH??} "Maybe we don't match. Syaoran san says so too."
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140
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141 Tomoyo's heart twitches. {No, that can't be. I didn't? Did I? With my own hands, I push my only love into failure? A first love
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142 that ends with a sour note?} Tomoyo holds up Sakura's head, and promises to call Syaoran and straighten things out.
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143
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144 Ring---ring. Syaoran drags himself out of the bed for the phone. But the answering machine is activated when Syaoran
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145 hesitantly reaches out for the receiver. {What if it's Sakura san? what should I say or ask?} It's Tomoyo's voice, a bit shaken,
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146 which is unusual:" Hello, this is Daidouji Tomoyo. Syaoran san, if you're in please pick it up. It's important. Sakura is at my
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147 house. She's hurt---" Syaoran's voice interrupts the recording, just as Tomoyo expected:" What? Tomoyo san? Sakura what?
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148 Is she alright?"
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149
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150 Tomoyo, still nervous about if she can fix the problem, keeps Syaoran in suspense:" Syaoran san, it's good that I can get a hold
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151 of you. She's fine, but she's bleeding. She says you want her to try going out with some one else." She twists the story enough
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152 to make sure she can get a response from the reserved Syaoran, who, usually doesn't clear things right out. Surprisingly, this
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153 time the strategy backfires.
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154
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155 The tactic goes smoothly at first. Syaoran does deny that he wants to break up with Sakura, and confirms that he loves her.
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156 Tomoyo can't believe what she hears next though: "I just feel that maybe I'm not the one for her. I mean, just because, we, went
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157 through a lot of troubles and dangers together and...but on a normal day, would she pick me to hang out with? Like, I came
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158 back for her because my life is boring without her. I need her smile. I need her. But when we're together, it's like, we don't---"
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159
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160 "Stop. Syaoran kun." Syaoran is shocked by Tomoyo's bluntness. She's never like that. Tomoyo goes on, without any
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161 apology:" Sakura chan is still young. When she matures, the distance betweeen you two---no, the distance between a man and
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162 a woman will lessen, I believe, because the older you get, the more experience you have with how to get along with others, and
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163 understanding WILL grow. You got to be patient. It's a long term relationship remember? When you weren't sure about how
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164 you felt at first, remember I encourage you on to 'try it'? I don't mean by 'just try it once'. Love takes a long time to nurture. It's
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165 the hardest plant to grow---"
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166
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167 This time it's Syaoran interrupting:" Tomoyo san please. I know you were the matchmaker and you probably felt responsible for
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168 whatever happens between the two of us, but, this is between me and Sakura san. I'm just thinking, if we need so much help
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169 from you and others, that Sakura san and I have to involve so much and so many people to keep it all together, is it worth it? Is
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170 it fair to her? And how come you've chosen me to match with Sakura san? What makes you think that I'm the one?"
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171
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172 "Because you care about her. You protected her. I can see how much you'll cherish her if she belongs to you. I entrusted her,
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173 my dear friend, to you." {oh~what is this feeling? It's panic. No way, I never panic. But he's losing her. I'm losing Sakura's
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174 happiness. I have to keep trying.}
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175
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176 "Urh~Tomoyo san, thanks for calling, and helping us out. I'll come to look after her wound, but is she in the mood to see me?"
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177
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178 "OF COURSE SHE IS! That's great news! I'll send a car to pick you up then." Tomoyo hangs up before Syaoran has the
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179 chance to speak further, fearing that he may change his mind. Tomoyo's voice is a bit too excited, Syaoran thinks to himself.
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180
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181 While Syaoran is getting himself ready, many thoughts run through his mind. {Thanks to Tomoyo, what a great mediator. What
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182 would we do without her? Come to think of it, she's a bit possessive of Sakura's problems. Oh well, they're best friends since
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183 childhood. But isn't it odd she's acting like it's her own relationship as if she's got so much free time---no, she has private tutor
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184 lessons for music and other subjects, plus choir practice, and going out---with Sakura and other friends. No boyfriend yet for
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185 her, hm...she does get a lot of chocolate on Valentine's Day from boys of different classes and grades, though it's not really the
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186 right day for boys to give out chocolate. Boys give out chocolate on March 14 the "white day". Hm, she does give out
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187 chocolate to---to Sakura?! Ah...and she...videotapes Sakura. Uh~this is, this is THAT?!} Syaoran's thoughts are interrupted
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188 by the door bell. Tomoyo's guards have come to pick him up.
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189
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190 On his way to Tomoyo's mansion, Syaoran has made a painful decision. {How could she have lived like that? How has she
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191 managed to restrain herself from embracing the one she loves so dearly? To hide her tears, her emptiness and all. How brave
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192 for a girl to endure such pain. If that's the case, I can't take advantage of Sakura san's ignorance of the situation and keep our
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193 relationship. I want to be a real winner, with Sakura san choosing me after she makes an informed decision. She deserves a
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194 choice and Tomoyo san deserves a chance. She cares about Sakura san just as much---or maybe even more than I do...}
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195
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196 When Syaoran arrives, Tomoyo allows some privacy for the couple in the guest bedroom. Syaoran tenderly attends to
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197 Sakura's wounds so Sakura keeps quiet to enjoy the sweet moment. Then Syaoran's face darkens. He frankly tells Sakura that
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198 there's another person who is in love with Sakura. Therefore, they should be apart for a week as a test to see whom Sakura
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199 misses the most. Whoever that is would be the one she should love. Sakura is completely disturbed by the proposition and
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200 bombards Syaoran with one single question, "why?" Syaoran realizes that Sakura can be quite dense sometimes when it comes
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201 to delicate matters. Then again he does not want to expose Tomoyo's true feelings without consent. So he insists on protecting
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202 the identity of the secret admirer, only stressing that Sakura deserves a choice and that admirer, who "has always been there for
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203 you in both rain and shine" should have a chance. That said, Syaoran quickly leaves the distraught Sakura, lest himself will
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204 break down in tears and revert his proposal.
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205
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206 That night, Syaoran goes home very late and even turns off his phone to avoid Sakura. Meanwhile, Sakura tosses and turns on
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207 her bed, wondering who can be as worthy as Syoaran to win her love. {If I can't find anyone else who's just as wonderful, I
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208 guess I have proved that Syaoran is the only one and we should be together. But I got to stay strong. I can't make everyone
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209 worry about me. But I can't do this myself. I need someone to talk to.} Out of reflex, Sakura dials up Tomoyo's phone
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210 number. Tomoyo can't sleep either. Her heart is filled with guilt. {Sakura is old enough now. She'll probably understands my
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211 feelings. She didn't react negatively to Touya san and Yukito san. Maybe it's ok to tell her.}
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212
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213 Ring---ring "Hello? Sakura chan?" Tomoyo answers the call right away, since the cell phone is by her bed. [How obsessive.]
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214
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215 "Tomoyo chan~what should I do? What if I can't find that person? Syaoran kun is all I have~"
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216
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217 "Sakura, I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I thought you'd be happy with him but it turns out like this. You want to know who else
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218 admires you? I'll tell you. Wanna come over to my house?"
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219
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220 "Tomoyo chan, You found out? OH~you're the best! I'll come right now!" click. Sakura can't even wait for Tomoyo's ride. She
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221 just skates right over to the mansion.
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222
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223 "So, who is it?" Sakura shoots out the question as soon as she arrives. Tomoyo's eyes are fixed upon Sakura, with a strange
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224 sense of determination. "Sakura chan, come." She leads her clueless friend into the bedroom, and shows her the box once
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225 again. "Remember this eraser you've given me? Everything you gave me: notes, UFO catcher dolls, stickers, I keep them. I
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226 videotaped you, because I don't want to lose any memory of you. Sakura, you're the most important person to me. I never try
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227 to hide it from you. You're just too young to understand. I don't blame you. You're so innocent. That's what I like about you. I
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228 like everything about you." Sakura's eyes widen.
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229
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230 Tomoyo takes a deep breath and continues, "Sakura, there're not many girls like me. So I sort of assume that you'll need a
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231 boyfriend someday. I look around, and found Syaoran san. He's a wonderful boy. I know I find happiness when my love finds
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232 happiness. Sakura, are you angry at me? I cause so much confusion between you and Syaoran san. I'll be there for you,
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233 whenever and wherever, as long as you need me." Tomoyo finishes her confession, closes her eyes, and waits for the verdict
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234 from Sakura. Tomoyo has really spelt it out this time. She even dropped the "chan" suffix, which is used commonly among
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235 childhood friends. To call someone with first name only means either rudeness or intimacy.
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236
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237 Neither one speaks. There are no signs of disgust, anger, or even discomfort from Sakura's face. Instead she leans forward to
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238 Tomoyo, looking intently at her friend with awe, gratefulness and guilt. Someone has always been there for Sakura, through rain
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239 and shine. Someone is hopelessly in love with Sakura, yet joyfully accepts the destiny. She embraces loneliness, regardless of
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240 her complete devotion of time and energy. That someone, is Tomoyo. Sakura breaks into tears, and then a smile. She strokes
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241 Tomoyo's face gently: "Tomoyo, you're the greatest gift I have. When I was little, I wanted a sister, and there you were. I
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242 needed a best friend. There you were. When I look back, the happiest days of my life is childhood, when there's nothing I have
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243 to worry. Otou san [dad] and onii san [brother] sheltered me. So did you. You always came up with a way to help me, cheer
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244 me in one way or another. When we entered junior high, there're so many changes I had to face, but not alone, because of you.
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245 Tomoyo, you're perfect. Sometimes I think I should be more like you, smart, elegant, mature. But you always have a way of
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246 making me feel special, that I am just perfect being the way I am. Before I met Syaoran, my life was happy. Why do I keep
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247 thinking I have to have him? Because I'm older? Because I need a boyfriend? I need romance?"
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248
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249 Tomoyo puts a finger on Sakura's lips: "Sakura, you need a family. You need someone to protect you too. Syaoran san can
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250 provide that for you. I can't. I was all you need when you were young. But as time goes by, needs change. Sakura, I'm grateful
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251 you accepts what I am, but please don't push yourself for me."
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252
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253 *****************EDITED ENDING************************
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254 *****************EDITED ENDING************************
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255 *****************EDITED ENDING************************
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256 *****************EDITED ENDING************************
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257
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258 "When Syaoran told me he noticed another admirer deserves my love, I had no idea what he meant. And I was hoping that
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259 person would turn out to be someone not so dear to me, so that the choice would be easier. But it turned out to be you..."
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260 Sakura's eyes looked around the room, which is walls of videotape collections and hanged group photos of her, tomoyo,
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261 naoko, rika and chiharu. Indeed, childhood is a beautiful place to stay. One must grow away from it though.
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262
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263 Tomoyo squeezes out a smile, and pulls herself away, "Sakura chan, gomen ne, I'm making this difficult for you to choose. I've
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264 always promised myself not to be a burden to you. Don't worry. We can stay as friends ^_^ You go ahead and let Syaoran
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265 know that he has nothing to worry about, ok? If you want, we can all meet together and straighten things out, whatever
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266 misunderstanding is going on between the two of you. Ii de shou [alright]?"
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267
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268 Sakura stares at her friend, unsure of how much pain her friend is hiding. The meeting is going nowhere to any solid resolution,
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269 so Tomoyo urges Sakura to go home by her car and leave the decision to tomorrow.
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270
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271 The next evening, Sakura leaves a message on Syaoran's phone, letting him know the progress: she knows the admirer is
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272 Tomoyo but she needs some time before she makes the decision.
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273
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274 {Who can I talk to? When I was rejected by Yukito, Syaoran lent me his shoulders. When I have fights with Syaoran, I turn to
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275 Tomoyo chan. Now both of them're competing. I need advice from, from Onii san! He can help. He teases me, but he always
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276 protects me.} The thought of Touya's often stern but concerned face gives Sakura a momentary relief.
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277
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278 [In Sakura's room] Sakura: "Onii san, either one of them would be heart broken. I know how it feels, being rejected..."
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279 {flashbacks of Yukito confessing to Sakura that he's really in love with someone else} "Even someone as gentle as Yukito san
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280 didn't make the rejection sound any softer. I can't forgive myself hurting the ones I care so much for. I wish I knew the right one
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281 from the start. That way, I wouldn't involve so many people, crying for me." Sakura holds her head tight, weeping.
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282
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283 Touya frowns even deeper, pads her little beloved sister's head and soothes her, "Sakura, I'm sorry I've broken your heart.
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284 Neither of us meant to lead you on. I didn't notice I loved Yuki until later, and Yuki couldn't see it in your eyes. Strange isn't it?
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285 Love, so strong; it runs deep inside you like blood flowing in your body. You feel the pulse, but you don't always stop and think
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286 about it. It takes time to sit down and think hard to realize what others have been doing for you, especially when you're busy
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287 thinking about someone, first Yuki, then Syaoran. I'm sure Tomoyo forgives you for missing her out."
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288
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289 Sakura: "Onii san, about the 'love is like blood running deep inside', that's deep thoughts, you came up with that?"
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290
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291 Touya, startled, coughs, "Ah, Hm---you caught me ^_< Kaho told me that when I was reconciling with her about who we
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292 really love. By the way, I don't regret the time I spent with her. She was loving, and I've learned much about life from her.
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293 Through love one grows, no matter how painful it is. You learn to be self-less, different, open and trust others, and brave too.
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294 So whoever you choose, fear no pain or guilt, because the day you open your heart to someone, you should have the courage
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295 to face anything. It's not your fault that you didn't pick the right one, or you didn't notice who loves you. Most people make
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296 wrong choices before they find the right one, and it takes two to make a relationship go down. And don't think that you'll lose
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297 one of them forever, because I believe both of them will stay as your friends anyway."
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298
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299 Sakura, amazed by her brother's sudden profound wisdom {guess I haven't ever had a heart-to-heart talk with Onii
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300 san---didn't know he's THAT smart; always thought Yukito san was smarter ^_< } asks her brother further: "So should I stay
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301 with Syaoran san, or leave and try a new life with Tomoyo chan? What makes you realize that you got to be with Yukito san?"
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302
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303 Touya thinks for a moment, then replies firmly, "When you can't think of living another day not seeing that person---that is,
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304 everyday wherever you go, whatever you do and think, that person is PART OF YOU, like the blood flows in you. It's there,
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305 but you don't see it, but you feel the pulse. If it goes away, you REALLY feel empty and can't move on. It's scary at first, when
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306 I noticed that how much I have been depending on Yuki. But then I was glad, I found someone special. I'm not living on the
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307 earth alone. Someone is with me. When Otou san [father] dies, and you get married off, I'll still have someone, Yuki, by my
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308 side. Sakura, you've got to have the guts to try. Doesn't matter if it turns out the wrong one, find you soul mate. It's worth all the
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309 journey."
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310
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311 "Arigatou, Onii san. I kinda understand what you mean by 'soul mate' now." {I feel the inertia to change, but it has to be that
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312 way I guess.}
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313
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314 "Gomen ne, Syaoran san, made you waited these few days."
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315
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316 It is a sunny afternoon, but Syaoran can feel the clouds around him. Before him stands Sakura, the soon-to-be ex-girlfriend.
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317 She chose her. He can tell. Sakura is a passionate person. If she has chosen him, she would have already moved closer, why
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318 the guilty distance? Syaoran, a gentleman from start to finish, breaks the silence.
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319
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320 "Sakura san, it's...okay. I am prepared for either way. Your happiness is the most important. That's why I insisted you look into
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321 the alternate admirer. You deserve the best. If anything goes wrong in the future, please tell me, I'll do my best being your
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322 confidente." Tears betray Syaoran's smile. He wipes them away, and gives the hesitant Sakura a strong, last hug. Sakura cries
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323 on Syaoran's shoulders, but this time, it's departure.
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324
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325 "Syaoran san~ gomen ne, Tomoyo chan---Tomoyo needs me. I need her too. Please don't wait for me. That would be too
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326 much to ask. Syaoran san, I'll take my chance. Please don't wait for me like Tomoyo did. It's too awful." Syaoran hesitates to
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327 promise this request. It's impossible to forget Sakura, at least for now. Syaoran whispers into her ear softly, "Sakura, I can't
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328 forget you. But I promise that if someone wonderful loves me, I'll give her a chance, ok?" Sakura closes her eyes with tears of
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329 relief and gratitude, "Thank you, Syaoran san."
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330
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331 Looking from a distance, Tomoyo can't make out what words have been exchanged between the couple. She only sees the
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332 tight embrace, then the parting of the two, with Syaoran's head down, a clear sign of defeat. Tomoyo's heart is now divided
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333 between guilt and excitement. {I'm sorry Syaoran kun. I was the matchmaker and look what I've done to you. But, what can
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334 make Sakura possibly choose me? I'm a great friend, but can I be all that to her? Oh~ I just hope she didn't choose on
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335 impulse.}
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336
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337 Sakura quickly spotted Tomoyo and skips over to her side. {Hoe, what should I say?} "...Tomoyo chan---hn, To-mo-yo,
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338 gomen ne, I made you wait. I hurt Syaoran. I was dumb. This time, I hope...I won't hurt you!" Sakura swiftly takes Tomoyo's
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339 hand by surprise, and blurts out, "Ikimasu! [let's go]"
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340
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341 Tomoyo: "Sakura! It's broad day light!"
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342
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343 Sakura: "Hoe~oh well, sooner or later...Tomoyo, hanasa nai de [please don't leave me/ don't let go]."
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344
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345 Tomoyo laughs: "I never have," then she draws closer to Sakura's side, whispers, "and I never will."
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346
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347 Owari~ ^_^
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