Chapter 26.5: The Legacy of the Twins (Eron and Erika’s Promise)

Release date: June 21st, 2001 

Word count: 5697

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Thoughts: Though this chapter is listed after Chapter 32 (the third chapter of the summer adventure timeline since that's when it was released), it clearly takes place in between chapters 26 and 27 while Sakura and Syoaran were struggling to get to school on time and Meilin was already out of the picture.

Why is it that the least S&S centric chapter is one that has so much S&S fluff?!?! They're too adorable for words.

The bond between Eron and Erika in the early arcs is iron clad. It's unbelievable that they're on different sides on the battlefield later on. 

The family love between Eron and Erika is so pure. 

Risa Chang is the first one of The Great Five's time to directly communicate with her descendent. Then it's Eron with Ruichi (though it was probably simultaneous) and then it should be Mikai and Mayura. Apparently Landon and Shulin reached out to their decedents according to Sakura, who laments that she never heard from Hayashi and how she was the only one.   

When Risa sways Erika to accept her soul, it reminds me of the theory of how she may have been the original Dark One after all. 

I wonder if Risa and Ruichi would have accomplished their goal if Erika wasn't sick.

The image of Syaoran carrying Sakura in his arms after she sprained her ankle in PE class is so sweet. I can never get enough of S&S fluff.

Eron was dedicated to staying true to the decision he made to let the darkness in as the price to save Erika. This special really makes me appreciate the hardships he'll undergo in the future to be set free.

Fanart spotlight: Though it would be very easy to use the fanart that Wish-chan specifically drew for this special chapter, I realized that yaninpoart's Eron and Erika portrait for her Shades of Gray series works marvellously to show the bond between them. The fact that they are younger than we're used to in canon makes this fanart an even better fit.

Chapter 26: Living Together

Release date: March 16th, 2001 

Word count: 5573

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Thoughts: Having the school enlist the students in cleaning twenty years worth of grime in the theatre sounds hazardous! Such a heavy duty job calls for professionals.

S&S are so frosty to each other. How they manage to make up is a mystery to me. Update: Syaoran uses his magic to stop a soccer ball from smashing Sakura's face. How sweet!

Kaitou sends a package of a trick and some treats. The treats being the Five Force Scroll and theatre blueprints and the trick being unescapable handcuffs! Their hijinx were wonderful to re-read. I wonder if Wish-chan thought of an excuse to explain how they avoided bathroom visits all together…

Naoko tells the story about how mishaps during the Phantom of the Opera rehearsals led to a student dying under the broken prop chandelier. The jury's still out to whether if it's true.

Moonstone is revealed for the first time in present day (the other references were all in the past). Great timing because we learn the story behind Miara's handcuffs and how the key is somewhere in the basement. 

Good news is that the key is found and S&S are free. The bad news is that our heroes have officially met The Phantom. He's currently bound to the basement… for now. 

Fanart spotlight: I thought that the scene with Sakura and Syaoran in handcuffs would be perfect for the Unbreakable prompt in the 100 Themes Challenge so I was incredibly happy when Dragurok accepted to draw my request. The look of pure shock on their face is priceless. 

Chapter 25: Parting Friends

Release date: March 16th, 2001 

Word count: 8028

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Thoughts: Meilin says that she wants to go home in order to train harder and become an asset instead of a liability. Now that we know the future of NT, I'm glad to see that it happened. 

Sakura finds the stale box of chocolates and withered peony that Syaoran intended to give her on White Day. I have no idea why it was in Meilin's room or why she held on to it.

And Sakura is now Juliet to Syaoran's Romeo. Wish-chan may torture S&S tons, but she is such a shipper.  

Meilin's goodbye party was sweet. I'm going to miss her! At the airport, they run into Kaitou who manages to trick security by stealing Syaoran's passport. I forgot that scene happened!

Sometimes I feel that the original Sakura Cards get neglected in New Trials with all of the storytelling, so it was fun to see Sakura use The Twin to multiply the "I will not be late for class" sentence one hundred times for her and Syaoran.

I probably would have forgotten about Eron and Sakura's date if it wasn't for Asumei's fanart of the consequence Syaoran's rash action. However, it did slip my mind that Sakura moved back to her home shortly after Meilin left.

According to the old Updates page and the author's note, it appears that at least Chapters 25 and 26 (and maybe 27?) were supposed to be just one chapter but Wish-chan feared that it was too long. I think that as the updates became further apart, she became more generous with the word count per instalment. 

Fanart spotlight: This 'Surprised Meilin' fanart by Selenity Shiroi wasn't drawn with the intention of being a scene from this chapter, but it works out very well regardless. By taking a glimpse of the artist's gallery, we see that Selenity favours Meilin so it's fun to see her interpretation of this character evolve through out the years.

Chapter 24: The Mirror of Truth

Release date: March 3rd, 2001

Word count: 8107

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Thoughts: Sakura's dream taunts her that Syaoran wouldn't be in her life if she wasn't a Card Captor. While it's true that Syaoran would have never come to Japan in the first place because the Cards were loose, I'd like to think that she would have approached him anyway if he was a sullen new kid.

We are finally talking about the Five Force Treasures after a lot of build up in the previous chapters!

I know nothing about St-Tail, but it's really cool how Wish-chan was able to incorporate one of her favourite mangas in her fic. 

Hehe, there's a mention of Sakura's green ribbon that Syaoran swiped in Arc 1.

When Sakura and Meilin bumps into Kaitou at the museum and treats him like the stranger that he is, it still surprises me that Kai wasn't as always as deeply embedded in the fold like he is now. 

"Sighing, the thief gave one last bitter look at Shing’s painting and melted into the crowd." ~ Wish-chan truly did deliver us the mother of all plot twists! It's so much fun to go back and realize the deeper meaning.

Sakura and Syoaran enter the Mirror of Truth?! I don't remember this at all!! This is where they viewed more scenes of the past, which includes Nadeshiko's insecurities about Ryuuren being in her life only because of magic.

Unfortunately, I did not succeed at the Great Five quiz. While I knew that Amamiya = Sixth Sense, Dark Ones/Chang = Light and Dark, and Li = Elemental Power, I got Reed = Heavenly Bodies and Mizuki = Contract magic mixed up! This is where Sakura sees them for the first time.

I may not have remembered anything about the adventures inside the mirror (including Syaoran being tasked to find the real Sakura among nine duplicates), the Kai and Meilin fan in me didn't forget the way Meilin reminded him to eat his vegetables.

The chapter closes with the first hint of Eron's obsession with Sakura. I didn't think it was mentioned this soon.

Fanart spotlight: I wasn't sure what fanart to use, but when we were introduced to the Great Five for the first time, I just had to use Wish-chan's original sketch from the early 2000s. Such a pretty drawing and after all of these years, she hasn't strayed too far from her original interpretation. 

Chapter 23: The Kaitou Magician and the Diamond Necklace

Release date: March 3rd, 2001

Word count:11,003

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Thoughts: The new school year is kind of fuzzy. It starts in April, which is where we are in the timeline, but there's no chatter about moving up a grade, which should be grade 9 by now. 

Meilin mentioned the red and blue teddy bear pyjamas that she and Syaoran owned as kids. If it wasn't for the fact that there's an illustrated version of the title, I might have used it for the chapter fanart.

I'm glad that Wish-chan took the time to develop Tomoyo's absentee father. To think that this is all the groundwork to set up for The Phantom. 

Syaoran's magician fails were hilarious. Thankfully he had knife throwing as a backup. 

The Kaitou Magician speaks as he warns S&S that The Joker is around. Wish-chan's description is pretty spot on to how we recognize him today with the exception of calling his hair sandy coloured, which will change to blonde later on. 

When Sakura lends Syaoran The Flower Card without hesitation, it's only then he realized that Sakura does trust him. It's kind of sad that it took him this long, but he was acting like a jerk with his Arc 1 mixed messages.

Chapter 22.5: Sakura's Birthday Special (Pink Ribbon Trees)

Release date: April 1st, 2001

Word count: 2765

(Note: Be sure to read the blog post for Chapter 22: No More Solitude before reading ahead!)

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Thoughts: The pink background that Wish-chan selected for this chapter on her site  is so pretty! It's definitely a perk that you can't get anymore on FF. Speaking of her site, thanks to her old Updates page, from here on in I will have the exact release date. 

It's not always too easy to pinpoint the exact incision of these special chapters, but if anyone wants to follow the time line, I'd say that this chapter comes in right after The Joker visits Meilin in Ch 22. If this chapter came out when Wish-chan started using the decimal format, it would have been labeled as "Chapter 22.5". 

Leave it to Tomoyo to call up Syaoran and let him know it was Sakura's birthday. I still remember that it was The Dark Ones who tampered with his calendar.

The pink balloon with the note inside is certainly Syaoran's MO at this point. 

The image of Syaoran painstakingly tying a multitude of ribbons on the branches for Sakura is so endearing. 

While no one could ever forget the amazing pink chiffon cake in Arc 4, it turns out that the first cake Syaoran made for Sakura was a strawberry and cream Kero-chan head shaped cake! Anyone else forgot about the food fight in this chapter?

This chapter is also the origin of, "Go home and look into the mirror." when Sakura asked Syaoran what was his wish. Sigh, Sakura you are so oblivious. 

Fanart spotlight: I originally drew the pink ribbon trees for the Birthday prompt in the New Trials Fanart100 until I replaced it with Wish-chan's Birthday Omake. However, it was not in vain because it was then used for the Everything For You prompt in the NT 100 Themes Challenge! 

Chapter 22: No More Solitude

Release date: February 2001

Word count: 10,566

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Thoughts: Time for the Spring Carnival! I've always adored the fact that these school events are never forgotten and are weaved beautifully in the storyline. Thanks to fanart, I remembered that Takashi and Chiharu were clowns and Meilin was an acrobat, but I forgot that Sakura was an acrobat too and both Syaoran and Eron were magicians.

It's the White Day special in this chapter. I don't recall this occasion being celebrated again in the rest of the series. Now, it just wouldn't be New Trials without the misunderstanding of Sakura finding a picture of Syaoran giving Erika roses (what guy gets another guy to deliver his flowers anyway?) and Syaoran seeing Eron giving Sakura a gift.

I remember Touya and Fujitaka leaving, but I forgot that Wish-chan wrote Kero-chan out of the picture by making him go to London to research with Yue and Kaho.

“I’ve finally come to a conclusion,” Meirin stated firmly. “Syaoran has a split personality. That must be it.”, may be one of my favorite Meilin quotes.

This is the chapter where we learn that Nadeshiko was the lead in a school play. It's great to see Star-Cross coming full circle in NT. Speaking of parents, we also get the first mention of Tomoyo's father and the rocky road that discourages Sakura from asking to stay with the Daidoujis.

Chapter 21: Blown Away Roses

Release date: February 2001

Word count: 13,635

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Thoughts: Arc 2 starts off with a bang with the first mention of the school musical Star-Crossed. I love how Wish-chan takes events from the original series (camping trips, plays, ski excursions) and makes it her own.

Tomoyo wondered why Terada-sensei moved to Seijou Junior High. I guess he and Rika must be extra secretive to hide their relationship from Tomoyo.

I always thought that it was odd for the most coveted role to be Rosaline and not Juliet. I guess it's hard to compete with the most beautiful person in the musical.

Sonomi is unable to recognize Syaoran as Ryuuren's son but she already realized who he was in the Christmas chapter. Plot hole? Tomoyo does save the situation by explaining that Nadeshiko and Ryuuren might have put a memory charm on her.

Tomoyo and Syaoran never have time together so the whole training montage where she coaches him for the audition is adorable.

This is the second time that Sakura dreams of Syaoran walking away from her. Ugh, Yesterday's Letter is so far away but I still won't be ready when I get to it. 

Syaoran planning to force Meilin into buying the girly magazine with the Angels in New York photo delights me. 

Chapter 20: Picture the Past

Release date: Winter 2001

Word count: 12,993

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Thoughts: I read this chapter at the heels of finishing Chapter 73, Part 2 where the NYC modeling experience was mentioned as something that happened three years ago. It's a lot of fun to go back and read it all over again.

As stupid as Eriol's prank was, I'm immensely pleased that it ended with him giving Syaoran wings to match Sakura's own wings courtesy of The Fly card. 

The snowball scene was so fluffy. It seems like a scene straight from an anime.  

I'm glad that the fact that Syaoran didn't meet up with the people his mother wanted him to see was addressed because it could have been a loose thread. How convenient that his modeling contract covered the credit card bill. 

I forgot why Miho was so nasty to Sakura in Arc I. But now I understand that she had been extremely jealous oh her this whole time. This is where we learn about Miho's tragic back story.  

Shing thinking back to Mizuki Miara in a lovey-dovey way is everything when we take in consideration of what we know now. 

On the park bench, Syaoran says, “The deal is I li—“ before Sakura interupts him. These two are hopeless when it comes to confessions. 

First mention of The Plague! When Wish-chan wrapped up Arc 3 she said she had many plot points planned out since the beginning. I read many different fan opinions of what Nadeshiko died from. But no one can match Wish-chan's interpretation. 

Sakura forgetting Kero-chan in New York is a hilarious way to end the arc.

Fanart spotlight: Professional artist scribbletalk went above and beyond when she created her Angel Wings masterpiece. It's everything that we pictured the scene to be. As far as Arc 1 fanarts go, this one is definitely my favourite. 

Chapter 19: Dazzling Countdown

Release date: January 2001

Word count: 8250

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Thoughts: I love fortune telling scenes with the Sakura Cards because Wish-chan is so skillful at foreshadowing. It's been ages since I read the chapter so I only remember how some of the Cards are connected when Sakura pulled out The Shadow, The Haunt, The Mirror, The Illusion and The Erase. 

Eriol reminds Sakura that she doesn't have to bear the Card Mistress on her own when she doesn't tell him about the stalker. Unfortunately this is not advice that she takes when she faces The Plague in Arc 3. 

Eriol gets on Syaoran's case about being distant with Sakura and warns him that, "Someday, she’s going to be so apart from you, you wouldn’t be able to reach her." I wonder if I clocked in on all of the Arc 3 finale foreshadowing the last time I reread the chapter. 

I completely forgot that there was a mini Battle of the Sun and Moon before Sakura shut it down. 

We learn that Mike is 22 so that means there is an eight year age difference between him and Erika, making it the largest age gap (besides Rika and Tereda who I guess are at least 10 years apart) in NT.

Now that I remember that The Invisible was a loose card, The Erase and The Illusion makes sense. The Shadow and The Haunt is a good representation of The Stalker. But what does The Mirror mean? 

I honestly would not have remembered the S&S back hug happened if it wasn't for animefreak999's fanart. What a powerful moment. 

I can never get over how beautifully written the battle scenes are. And they only get better and better!

I don't remember when it was revealed, but Kai was with Miho and company in Times Square as they waited for the new year.

Fanart spotlight: The way that Wish-chan described the cherry blossom firework was so pretty that I'm delighted that Asumei chose to illustrate that scene in her fanart, New Year's in NYC. Sakura's dress is also spot on and she and Syaoran look so adorable together. 

Chapter 18: Stalked in New York

Release date: December 2000

Word count: 5867

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Thoughts: When S&S are denied entry to Shing's home, it's a bit unsettling of how they had no qualms at all about breaking and entering. 

It's heartbreaking to see Shing learn that Ryuuren and Nadeshiko were both dead and never ended up together. 

Shing's star sapphire ring is stolen. First sign of our favourite thief of the night!

Being ganged up by thugs is horrifying. Sakura and company should have known better! Still, it was very cool to see Sakura's matial arts lesson pay off!

Syaoran and Sakura both sneaking out at the same time in the middle of the night with the same all black outfit is too adorable. 

Wish-chan really tapped into her dark side when coming up with the items that were in the buried box. Hangman's noose? Old blood? Yikes!

Fanart spotlight: Once again, there is no specific fanart for this chapter. However, back in 2004 the always delightful Selenity Shiroi shared this drawing of a wintery Tomoyo and in this chapter the girls do go out shopping so it works. There's also a robin, which is only native to North America so there's an added bonus. This won't be the last time that I'll feature Selenity-chan. She made many contributions to the fandom and her art always gets better and better.

Chapter 17: A Small World, After All

Release date:  Late Fall 2000

Word count: 7055

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Thoughts: We get a reminder that Yue still hasn't woken up. I never remembered when it finally did happen!

When Wish-chan had the film executive ask Tomoyo how a young girl could develop such a complex plot, I quickly find myself asking Wish-chan the same question about NT!

Mike Kant makes his first cameo and Sakura's modelling hobby begins! I love how we get to see him again post-New York.

Eriol is back and Yue has reawakened, which explains the dash of foreshadowing in the beginning.

I always thought the Mike Kant Angels in NYC photoshoot was S&S's first time being in print. I did not remember the newspaper headline about the two spies at the airport at all!

Fanart spotlight: Wish-chan describes Shing's paintings with such detail during the trip to the exhibit that visualizing then is easy. Lucky for us, she even drew a fanart of one of them!

Chapter 16: Running out of Time

Release date:  Late Fall 2000

Word count: 9680

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Thoughts: So Tomoyo gave all of her friends brand new outfits that she designed to all her friends for the airport. The possibilities are endless for rich characters. 

Ah, so Syaoran busted the credit limit on his mother's card to pay for the necklace. Someone of Yelan's stature would have a higher limit than that but at least is explains how Syaoran purchased the necklace.

Letting a couple 14-year-olds take care of a bomb threat sounds incredibly stressful.  

The occasional commentary of the mother and daughter who interpreted S&S as actors in an action movie was cute.

Syaoran knocking out the guards and then threatening the life of another guard was chilling. How did he pass security with that knife?

This was the first time Wish-chan wrote an intense against the clock chapter and she did a great job. Even though I knew the outcome, I was very much hooked.

When Miho is introduced, she's such a brat. It's incredible how much she develops as a character through out the series.

Fanart spotlight: This is a fanart that I drew with MS Paint specifiy for the Out of Time prompt in the NT 100 Themes Challenge. I loved the way that it turned out even if I did cheat by significantly reducing the number of wires!

Chapter 15: Hang a Shining Star

Release date:  Late Fall 2000

Word count: 6893

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Thoughts: I don't remember Syaoran going all out with Christmas decorations as a kind gesture towards Meilin at all!

Nadeshiko gives Ryuuren a handmade scarf during their first Christmas. In her author's note, Wish-chan explains that her original draft had Sakura give Syoaran a scarf but the anime beat her to it.

First reference of the Reed Star Sapphire ring! It's kind of odd that Ryuuren didn't hesitate for a second when it came to giving away a family heirloom. 

Ugh, this chapter recaps why Syaoran is the master of mixed messages. No wonder it takes Sakura forever to realize her feelings.

Syoaran delivering Sakura her gift via floating balloon is such a special scene. The way he scampers off on his bike is so him. Having a tiny bit of experience selling diamond jewelry myself, there's no way that a kid could afford that necklace. Does anyone else remember that he casted a protection spell on it?

Fujitaka's story about the man and the angel is so bittersweet. I wonder how many tales Wish-chan would have released if it wasn't for her dedication to New Trials.

Erika glomping on to Touya is the first time she flat out says that she's more interested in older guys. Foreshadowing of her relationship with Mike, maybe?

I was so inspired by the wolf embroidery that I recreated it with MS Paint!  

Fanart spotlight: Many years ago Wish-chan reserved the Frost prompt in the 100 Themes Challenge that I launched in 2012. We were chatting and it turns out that her submission was still in the works and 96% finished. Many of you will remember these images from her omake. 

Chapter 14: The Winter Wonderland

Release date: Summer or Fall 2000

Word count: 6570

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Thoughts: The brief moment where Sakura and Erika bonded over annoying brothers was sweet.

Even though she split them apart, Wish-chan is such an S&S shipper. When Sakura gets smashed with the soccer ball, of course Syaoran will be the first at her side and then secretly heal her bruisings. 

Erika calls Eron out by saying he would use concealer and foundation before he'd let anyone see his flaws. Wish-chan did mention that Eron was metrosexual.

Not a fan of Syaoran and Erika's ongoing phone conversations. At least he shuts down the notion that he's her boyfriend. 

The "If you have a good idea of how to beat this thing, I’ll get you anything you want” bet is so sweet.

How Wish-chan managed to calculate the fact of throwing a combo of Windy and Maze at the nucleus would capture The Twister is beyond me. 

First mention of Aki-kun! He went from condescending joke to tertiary character with multiple appearances and a back story.

Fanart spotlight: This fanart wasn't drawn specifically for Chapter 14, but when Shiyae-chan said that it was inspired by Arc 1, I thought it would be fitting to represent the fight against The Twister. I love the way Sakura's hair is twirling! 

Chapter 13: The Twisted Winter Concert

Release date: Summer 2000

Word count: 6584

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Thoughts: It's only the beginning of November for me, yet I can't help but feel jealous of NT!Sakura for finishing her Christmas shopping.

I'm glad that we're at the point where Meilin realizes that she no longer had feelings for Syoaran. Just because it was the second time doesn't make it easier. 

  

Eron and Erika talk about the day when they would finally come into their full power. Has this actually happened? 

Both Sakura and Syoaran independently use wind to combat the The Twister and they both fail miserably. I like the way their thoughts aligned. 

Sakura used The Stone to hold The Twister in place. I think this is the first time she used one of the newer cards.

Chapter 13 marks the debut of Wish-chan's own website with Geocities (shout out to the 2000s kids!). For a recount on her history with NT's various homes, Wish-chan wrote a blog post. 

Fanart spotlight: The only thing that jumped out at me and didn't seem too impossible to draw was Eron's chemistry experiment. It's a rather odd plot device to make Syaoran violin one. I don't think we see Eron working on experiments again. 

Chapter 12: Till You Turn to Me (A Night of Betrayed Love)

Release date: Summer 2000

Word count: 11,364

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Thoughts: The theory that Nadeshiko is clumsy because she uses her second sight is quite clever. 

I recall Ryurren's hair being cut off, but I had no recollection that The Whip was the culprit! Speaking of hair, he explains that the long hair was a sign of passing the Ordeal, which he did at 16. There's no way a person's hair can grow that much in a year. 

So Nadeshiko gets to confess halfway through Arc I and Sakura can't get there even though we're almost at the end of Arc IV? Ouch.

It was a nice touch to see the twins being included during the Sunday shopping trip. It makes them tagging along to New York make more sense. 

The Amamiya diamond makes its debut! 

When I first read this chapter, I felt it was the most random event in NT. But once we learn that the ghost was Sakura's aunt and the lonely man had been waiting for her, it's all so incredibly sad. 

I didn't notice before, but S&S facing off the mad man as a team is how they overcame the awkwardness from what happened on the bridge.

"The whole class held out an umbrella to block the spray of saliva as their sensei shouted." ~ I know these anime-like cues will disappear as Wish-chan matures as a writer but for now I'm very entertained. 

Fanart spotlight: When I read the passage, "Warmly taking his hands, Sakura said, “My mother died when I was a child, yet know that she is with me, watching over my family. I’m sure Fujiko-san is doing the same.", I immediately thought of this doodle by scribbletalk. It was actually posted on her Facebook so I don't think there's a dA link. Indirect, but none the less fitting.  Edit: I received permission from the artist to post it on dA so here's the fanart!

Chapter 11: Say Goodbye (To Yesterday)

Release Date: Summer 2000

Word count: 4268

Click for summary

Thoughts: I love how New Trials is peppered with super cute Takashi and Chiharu moments like in CCS. It's what made me fall for them then and it's what continues to make me lobe them to this day. The way Takashi invited Chiharu to the Winter Wonderland is so them! 

I don't even skate so I would be mortified if a field trip to the rink included competitive relay races. I completely forgot this scene existed. 

It's nice to see some good old fashion angst in Sakura towards Erika even if she does question herself about it. Yes, she does see the good in everyone, but it's fun to see her feeling jealous. 

First mention of there being sunshine after the rain! It's a theme that Wish-chan holds close to her. 

Syaoran telling Sakura that he no longer has special feelings for her still feels like a punch in the gut even though I've remembered how this scene went down since reading it in 2003. 

I had absolutely no recollection of the scene where Touya chases Sakura after she makes fun of how Kaho dumping him. It was pretty funny!

Fanart spotlight: Out of all of the fanart collected over the years, this is the only one without a credit. Posted on a NT gallery Geocities site or maybe shared in the Yahoo group, Sakura in the Park has always been anonymous. Because it's a direct fanart from the chapter (even if Sakura isn't in winter wear), I am highlighting it today.