Disclaimer - I don't own Digimon. Note - This is written for Open Novella 2019. The prompt is Suspense 8: Mystery Man. he prompt is, "He just recently got his memories back – everything that was important to him and everything that should have stayed forgotten, rushed back. The detective told him of your whereabouts and now he's on his way to you. Who are you to him? And why is he looking for you?" I'm working with a headcanon, but won't reveal what that is as that will end up spoiling things

Taming Destiny
Missing Persons

The final bell rang dismissing the middle school students for summer break. One student, in particular, stretched his arms into the air before letting out a rather loud sigh of content. Tai smiled before leaning over and snatching up his school bag which he swung over his shoulder before proceeding towards the shoe lockers where he switches into his regular shoes.

"I take it you're glad classes are done?"

Tai turned and looked at his red-haired kohai and grinned. "Well, classes are rather boring."

"What you really mean is they're not challenging enough."

Tai's brown eyes stared at Izzy for a few seconds before choosing to turn his head away. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You..." The red-head frowned yet didn't pursue the topic. Instead, his head turned towards Matt and Sora who walked together. "You've been spending less and less time with Matta and Sora."

"Matt's busy with his band and Sora quit soccer, plus the two are glued together ever since they became a couple. It's not much fun being the third wheel."

"Or the guy whose best friend asked out the girl he liked."

"Aren't you observant?" Tai let out a sigh. "I honestly don't think too much about it. That's too much energy I'm better off utilizing in other pursuits."

"I see." Izzy watched Sora and Matt for a few more minutes before following Tai out. The two DigiDestined stopped short upon seeing a familiar face. "Oh, Ken."

"Could I possibly discuss something with you, sempai?" Ken stood there while Wormmon peaked out from Ken's bag.

"You know I'm always available, so you need not ask." Izzy beamed at the young genius.

Actually, I was hoping to speak with Taichi."

The two older DigiDestined looked at each other. Tai finally shrugged. "Maybe it's soccer related?" He turned towards Ken. "That said, you're probably better at soccer than I am."

"Liar." Izzy coughed under his breath.

Tai turned towards his red-haired classmate. "What?"

"Face it. You're always good at hiding things." Izzy cleared his voice before continuing. "I've got some things to do, so I'll see you two later. Wormmon as well."

Tai watched Izzy take off before turning towards his sister's friend. "So..."

"There's a café near your school where we can talk. I'll even pay."

The middle school student took a deep breath before rubbing the back of his head. "Seriously..."

Tai followed Ken towards the café the younger DigiDestined choose, but he wondered why Ken picked him over Izzy. Upon arrival, Tai saw a bunch of tables inside and out. Ken selected a table inside and placed an order while Tai set his school bag on the table. Tai glanced around nervously; he almost felt there existed some reason for him to worry.

The waitress set the tea down in front of them and Tai looked down at the drink. He turned the drink slightly but felt a little hesitant in picking up the drink. Ken took a sip from the cup set in front of him, but Tai found himself wondering how an elementary school student could be so put together and mature for their age. "You aren't going to ask why I wanted to talk to you?"

Tai sighed before looking down at the tea Ken ordered. "I figured you of all people would get to the point eventually."

He decided drinking the tea might make the nervous feeling which plagued the back of his mind goes away. Ken watched him carefully before saying, "Ryo."

The hot tea Tai was attempting to swallow started coming up his throat and nose. Instinctively he reached one hand up and covered his mouth while a few coughs tried escaping through his nose.

"Sorry. Did I surprise you?" Ken wasn't smiling, which made Tai feel warranted in his feelings of trepidation. The younger DigiDestined handed one of his tea biscuits to his worm-like Digimon. Wormmon for some reason stayed silent regarding the whole matter, yet watched Tai warily as Ken did.

Tai recovered and set his cup of tea down. "Look. I know your brother Sam and Ryo were good friends, but I still don't understand why you're curious about him."

Ken continued glaring at Tai. "I asked T.K. what happened to him. He said none of the original eight talk about him and the topic was off-limits. None of you tried looking for him when he disappeared, did you?"

Tai turned his head and looked out the window of the small café at those sitting outside. "Why did you pick me to ask?"

"You were the leader of the original eight."

"If you want someone to blame for what happened to Ryo than go ahead and blame me. I know I certainly do."

"So you did make the decision not to look for him, didn't you?"

Tai turned his head so he might look at Ken. The younger DigiDestined was obviously angry. "You still haven't said what your interest in Ryo is."

Ken continued glaring at Tai. "And you haven't said what your connection to Ryo is."

"What do you mean?"

"None of the other eight knew Ryo and my brother Sam were best friends."

The older DigiDestined took a deep breath and looked out the window. "It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does! Why didn't you look for him?"

Tai knew Ken was fuming at him still. "What if..." Despite this Tai wasn't sure if whether he should say anything in front of someone as intuitive as Ken. "What if he doesn't remember us? What if he's actually happier where he is now then where he was before? What if he's lucky enough to have a girlfriend and is enjoying his time with her?"

For a few minutes, neither spoke. "Wait. Are you telling me you know where Ryo is?"

Ken's response made Tai pause, yet eventually, he said, "Do you promise not to ask questions or tell the others? Both of you?"

Tai watched Ken's facial features twist with even more excitement. "Yes."

"Yes." Wormmon nodded his green head.

The leader of the previous group of DigiDestined nodded his head and stood up. He grabbed his school bag and started towards the door. "It's better if I show you rather than telling you."