The Past Returns

Cherry Blossom Banter: Friends and Firsts

It was a perfect day for a stroll in King Penguin Park. The sun bathed everything in warm, golden light, and not a single cloud dared to mar the endless blue sky. As Sakura and Syaoran ambled down the winding path, Sakura paused for a moment, taking in the beauty around her.

"It's such a gorgeous day," she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Syaoran couldn't help but smile as he watched Sakura skip toward a cherry blossom tree in full bloom, her laughter ringing through the air. Moments like these felt precious and unique, strengthening the bond between them.

"Sakura," Syaoran called out, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. Sakura twirled around to see him not too far away.

"What is it?" Sakura asked, clutching a handful of cherry blossoms she'd gathered.

"I..." Syaoran hesitated, a subtle blush now appearing . "I love you." He managed to say, his gaze never leaving her face. This was music to Sakura's ears. Syaoran had already confessed his love months ago and wrote them down in e-mails and letters. Nevertheless, hearing him say those words in person made her feel butterflies in the pit of her stomach.

"I love you too Syaoran," Sakura replied, unable to contain the words that flowed from her heart. She was overjoyed to share her feelings without any interruptions. As Syaoran walked up to her, ready to embrace his beloved, they both heard a loud squeal coming from the bushes. This unexpected noise caused Sakura and Syaoran to pause in their tracks, their curiosity piqued. Their eyes locked onto a patch of rose bushes that rustled mysteriously. Drawing closer, Syaoran could discern hushed whispers and soft giggles emanating from within the bushes.

Sakura followed Syaoran to where he stood, both of them gazing at the rustling rose bushes.

"Well, you might as well come on out; we know you're there!" Syaoran declared, arms folded, his gaze still fixed on the bushes. Sakura, too, was curious about the unexpected intruders.

Suddenly, two girls emerged from behind the bushes. One of them had her hair styled in buns and wore an annoyed expression at being caught. The other had her hair down and held a camcorder, wearing a triumphant expression that clearly indicated mischief.

"TOMOYO, MEILIN!" Sakura exclaimed, recognizing her two friends. She realized that Tomoyo had captured the entire scene on her camcorder. Such behavior from Tomoyo was par for the course for Sakura and Syaoran. In fact, if Tomoyo didn't engage in such antics, something would have been amiss. And now, it seemed Tomoyo had recruited Meilin as her "Wing-Woman," ensuring that getting a moment alone would be a near-impossible feat.

"That was so cute! I got a second confession from Li, and now I finally have Sakura's!" Tomoyo gushed, her eyes still sparkling with excitement.

"If you had kept quiet back there, you might have even gotten a bonus hug to go with it," Meilin chided her friend, a playful pout on her face.

Tomoyo squealed again at the thought, her imagination running wild. "That's okay, there's always a next time," she mused, staring off into space, clearly lost in her romantic daydreams.

Meilin shook her head at her friend's antics before turning her attention to Sakura and Syaoran, who stood there, amused and slightly bewildered by the exchange between Tomoyo and Meilin.

"So have you two kissed yet?" Meilin asked, catching Sakura and Syaoran completely off guard.

"KISSED?" Sakura and Syaoran exclaimed simultaneously, their faces turning as red as ripe tomatoes at the mere thought. The idea of a kiss seemed like a bridge too far for them. After all, they were just kids, and they hadn't even reached junior high yet.

"You haven't, have you? You've been in love for ages now, and neither of you has even attempted to share that special first kiss?" Meilin inquired, raising an eyebrow in amusement.

Meilin couldn't help but wonder. She understood why Sakura might be hesitant, given that Sakura had a knack for getting startled by her own shadow, let alone the idea of a kiss. On the other hand, Syaoran's reluctance surprised her. He was known for his determination and drive. If he set his mind to something, he would usually go all out to achieve it. The embarrassment was palpable, and Sakura and Syaoran found themselves staring at the ground, avoiding eye contact with both Meilin and Tomoyo.

Tomoyo, who always found their shyness endearing, couldn't help but smile, while Meilin realized that winding them up was turning into quite the entertaining pastime.

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As the day wore on, the group had spent a few hours exploring the town, browsing in shops, and indulging in some window shopping before settling down at a nearby café.

"So I take it that you and Li will be returning to Hong Kong in a few days?" Tomoyo remarked, a hint of sadness in her voice.

"That's the plan. We wish we could stay longer, but we can't," Meilin replied, her expression slightly downcast. Sakura and Syaoran sat there, their fingers lightly entwined, silently dreading the impending separation.

"It's not like we'll be gone  for too long. We all know that trying to keep Syaoran and Kinomoto apart doesn't work," Meilin added with a knowing smile as she observed the melancholy couple across from her. Syaoran tilted his head slightly towards Sakura, offering her an affectionate smile while discreetly holding her hand beneath the table. Sakura returned the gesture with a secret smile, even though she knew Tomoyo had noticed and quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks tinged with pink. Tomoyo couldn't help but chuckle at her best friend's shyness and continued her conversation with Meilin.

"You two really need to get a room," Meilin playfully teased the pair.

"MEILIN!" Syaoran retorted, irritation in his voice. His cousin responded with an innocent yet sly smile. Tomoyo couldn't contain her laughter as Sakura blushed as red as a tomato at the idea of being alone in a room with a guy.

"Syaoran and Kinomoto sitting in a tree, K.I.S.S.I.N.G...." Meilin began to sing but was abruptly cut off by an annoyed Syaoran lunging across the table to stop her. "First comes love, then comes marriage..." Meilin continued singing as she deftly avoided her cousin's attempts to silence her. "Then... comes baby... in a... baby carriage." Meilin finished, struggling to catch her breath amid her laughter. Syaoran's face was now as crimson as a rose, though he couldn't tell if it was from sheer embarrassment or frustration at Meilin's teasing.

Tomoyo had her camcorder out by this point, recording the entire entertaining spectacle. To her, it was pure gold, watching the reactions on her friends' faces. She cherished these moments. Meanwhile, Sakura had practically sunk into her chair, hoping to disappear from sight and find refuge in the comfort of her own room, far away from the embarrassing banter.

A/N; Update: 14/09/23. I had fun writing this one. Reminds me of being a kid all over again. Looks like poor Sakura and Syaoran won't have a minute to themselves any time soon, thanks to Tomoyo and Meilin.