CHAPTER FOUR: VIDEO
Sakura’s POV The tape runs. The first thing I see is an introduction by Tomoyo-chan. She’s wearing one of her costume creations.
“Hello, Sakura-chan!” she says pleasantly, waving at the camera. “Happy birthday! This year, I’ve decided to compile a video of everyone’s favorite sorcerer, Li Syaoran!”
“Hey!” Eriol-kun says from somewhere out of view. “What am I, chop suey?”
"Gomen ne, Eriol-kun. As you may have guessed, Eriol-kun is currently cameraman. Show Sakura-chan your pretty smile, Eriol-kun.”
The camera turns as Eriol-kun does as told. Then it swings back to Tomoyo-chan.
“Anyway, we’ve decided to prove to you how Li-kun feels for you, once and for all.”
“Since he won’t do it himself,” Eriol-kun comments in an amused tone.
“I’ve taken a bunch of clips from my other videos, and Eriol-kun has helped me edit them into this one! So, if it doesn’t look right, it’s his fault,” she finishes in a low joking tone.
“Hey!”
“Anyway, here we go!”
The scene fades. Short clips from Tomoyo’s extensive video collection play themselves across the screen.
After the first few, I am fascinated. All of this has went on under my nose?!?
There is an occasional voice-over from my friends, but mostly it’s Syao-kun and me. As the images play, I am thrown into the memories with wonder, recalling the day and time these thing happened.
I love being around Syao-kun… What I told Kero-chan is true: Syaoran has a great heart.
I glance at the picture on my nightstand. How long did he work on that? He really cares…
The video is winding down. Tomoyo-chan reappears on the screen.
“So, Sakura-chan, believe us yet? I you don’t here’s the clincher…”
The scene shifts and once again I am looking at Eriol-kun. He smiles and turns away.
“We worked on this trick for a couple months,” the voice-over says softly.
I realize from the perspective that the camera is in a tree.
Eriol-kun moves aside and Syaoran-kun walks into view. He seems angry.
“Going to bother someone else?”
“No, not at all… You are a special case, Li-kun.”
“What does that mean?”
The comment does not effect Syao-kun’s mood positively.
“You are very stubborn, my descendant. You refuse to tell Sakura-chan, so Tomoyo-chan and I try to trick it out of you.”
The “descendant” remark makes Syao-kun even angrier. Oh my, Eriol-kun knows how to push buttons…
“Refuse to tell Sakura-chan what?” Syaoran-kun says stubbornly.
“You know. You won’t even say it to yourself, will you?”
Eriol-kun shakes his head.
“I won’t,” Syaoran-kun mumbles, turning away. He doesn’t seem angry any more… His stance is a bit sad and defeated.
“Why not?” Eriol-kun pushes. “You can’t keep it bottled up inside, Li-kun. One of these days you’ll explode."
*What?
*Is he talking about what I think he is? Damn Eriol-kun for talking in riddles constantly!*
Syao-kun takes a deep breath, appearing to relax. Then he stiffens again.
“Your girlfriend isn’t hiding somewhere with that damn camera, is he?”
I smile. So does Eriol-kun, I think.
“Tomoyo-chan is still talking with Sakura-chan, Li-kun.”
“That’s true,” Eriol-kun’s voice-over says. He purrs, “I wasn’t lying, technically… Li-kun said Tomoyo-chan, not me…”
“You swear?” Syaoran-kun asks on-screen.
“I swear on my grave.”
I shiver. Eriol-kun always does that (among those who know his true identity) and I always think it’s creepy.
“All right, then.”
Syaoran-kun drops his guard.
“I’m in love with Kinomoto Sakura! Are you happy?”
My world is blown away.
I stare in astonishment at the screen. Kami-sama… Syao-kun? In love? With me?
The rest of the scene plays itself out as I stare unseeingly at the screen. Tomoyo-chan reappears, large grin on her face.
“So, Sakura-chan… What are you going to do now?”
I swallow and then gape once more. Eriol-kun turns the camera.
“You know what you must do, Sakura-chan. Go tell him… how much you care.”
For once in his normal life he is serious.
“You’re right…” I say to the screen. A part of me knows that they can’t hear me but I don’t care. “You’re right!”
I run down the stairs and out the door, ignoring Kero’s questions on the way. I have to find Li Syaoran!
To be continued...