Blast from the past: I actually had a line in my original version that started off with, "Thanks to the Internet, they were able to chat…". Oh what a novelty online used to be. I didn't start using the Internet until 2002 even though it's been around longer. There was also an adjustment period that I wasn't so warm to embrace.
I don't know if I was the one being naive to believe that Chiharu's parents would throw themselves to her whims about moving back or if I just made it work in her favour without thinking.
I must have been really excited to get this chapter out because the amount of mistakes in the first version is nothing short of embarrassing!
The New Trials Connection: The running away theme has come up in New Trials. Kai ran away after his family fell apart. Syaoran ran away from home the moment the threat of the Dark Ones surfaced. Meilin ran away with Kai in Arc 4. Sakura and Syaoran ran off to Tokyo in Arc 2 and then ran off to Hong Kong just before the Great Elder died.
Wish-chan crafted some excellent lies for Takashi in New Trials. I especially loved it when it tied into the chapter or story arc.
Reading the relaunch: What I love the most about this remastered chapter is that off the bat KID-Z4P has Takashi living alone, which totally fills up the plot hole of how he managed to keep a girl in his room under his parents' nose. Another positive point is that Takashi finally got some sense knocked into him and named his bear, 'Chiharu'!
Review spotlight: When I go back to read the reviews from fellow CCS fans, they're usually always along the lines of 'so cute' or 'very romantic' or 'love this story'. This review is from Mirian, one of my oldest friends since 1998, and even though she's pretty much identified all of my plot holes, I'm glad to say that her inquisitive nature hasn't changed one bit after all these years!
Finally, Takashi and Chiharu are together. As they should be. I'm surprised Takashi's parents didn't realize a girl was staying in his room. Was Chiharu saving up money to run away? How did she pay for the plane ride? Her parents must really care about her to move for her needs and chapter did reveal that love knows no bounds. Very well written.
Art: To my disappointment, the Unite is described the same way as the Rendezvous. However, since I was not satisfied with how young the Rendezvous came out, I took the opportunity to do things differently this time around and I think the Unite looks more mature. I have never done a looking over the shoulder fanart and I loved how it turned out. The outfit is designed after the dress that Wish-chan drew for Sakura during Syaoran's 18th birthday extravaganza in Chapter 73.5.
