Koushiro "Izzy" Izumi's PoV:
Though the adventures in the Digital World where few and far between, I found the best years of my life within that digital border. I had met my best friend there, and all of us, all eight of us shared something special. A bond. And though we were sometimes ripped apart, we always found ourselves glued together.
Even though I knew what I was doing most of the time, I couldn't help feel un-noticed. Outclassed. You know, the one people always talked to, but never really shared a bond with.
Everyone else had their own traits: Tai was always courageous- the leader. Mimi, whom I've said to have crushed on here and there, was always ditzy and bubbly. Cute, at all times, though could be a bit annoying. Then again, when you're with someone that much, there isn't many things that can't annoy you. Joe, who was the biggest coward of us all, even proved to find bravery, well, reliability in his case. Sora, Matt, and Kari all had their special quirks too, each standing out. Mainly Matt, who made sure he stood out.
But then there was that one person- the one who made all the difference. Takeru. Matt's young brother, who was a cute little kid. He was always as curious as an eight-year-old would be, however, I always made the time, and effort, to answer his questions. At first, I thought of him as nothing more than a little kid. I mean, who wouldn't? He acted like one- scared, curious, and talkative. I wasn't much older- only ten, but still. My knowledge put me at a gap with even the oldest kid there, and my small body was hardly a host for the huge brain I had.
Well, that's what I've been told. Back to the matter at hand, Takeru, or TK as he was to be called, started to evolve, as most of us did. But, his evolution seemed to jump-start the rest. Sure, Mimi had once been High-Maintenance, and Matt was a selfish, headstrong bastard- but they got over it. Or rather, they matured from it. And became much better people in the process.
But TK seemed to mature faster than the rest. After all of our Digimon failed to defeat Devimon, his Hope and bravery together carved into him, and Patamon, allowing him to finally Digivolve into Angemon. His attack was so powerful, it killed Devimon in its single hit, along with taking his own life. I could only watch as TK single-handedly saved our lives. And it wouldn't be the first time.
Steadily after that, he became more mature. And I found myself less and less attracted to Mimi (as brave as she had gotten) and more and more attracted to Takeru. I never really put a preference on gender- I believed it. You like who you like, and you can't help that. I mean, I've fallen for girls before, but ever since TK, girls and even other guys seemed to have fluttered from my mind.
It wasn't until TK was kidnapped by Puppetmon, and found his way back to the group, that everyone started seeing how grown up he was getting- unfortunately, Matt took it the wrong way. But I'm sure you've all heard that story. Another time, perhaps. And in our final battle against Piedmon, we were all transformed into lifeless key-chains by the joker's tricks. And TK once again saved the day, his hope and his brother's hope in him igniting his crest. Glowing, Angemon finally Digivolved into to MagnaAngemon, who healed us all.
And then it was over. After Apocylamon was destroyed, the Digital World's peaceful balance was restored. Our job was done, and the old fool Gennai informed us that we had to leave for home ASAP. Naturally, I was heartbroken. I wouldn't get to spend as much time with Takeru as I could, and it mad me even angrier at myself. If you're wondering why- it's because I never really talked to him. I mean, a few words hear and there. But not much.
And it's not like he never made an effort to talk- it was just him. I mean, why wouldn't a kid want to ask the smartest person in the party questions? It just worked that way. And I answered them, and that was our relationship. I wish I'd a nickel for every time I had mentally kicked myself for not making an effort to talk to him. I don't know why- I was just thinking about him most of the time.
And after the whole deal was over, things went back to normal. For the most part, anyway. After about six months, the media interception died down, and the eight of us were returning to normal lives. However, all of us remained close-knit, if not all at the same time. I remained good friends with Tai and Sora, even assisting them in that international battle against Diaboromon. I saw TK again, briefly, as he had spent most of the summer across country at his Grandmother's. Needless to say, it was a warm feeling I felt upon seeing him.
Once again, I was growing up. Takeru was drifting into the past- a part of the past that I had never wanted to let go. So, I pursued my studies, attending the same school as Sora, Matt, and Tai. Mimi had moved to America with her parents, which caused a major rift in the friendships of the eight of us. And after my family decided to move out of Highton View Terrace, I was kept from TK's sight for a whole year.
That is, until the day came that I always knew would: the Digital World fell back into peril, and it was up to the DigiDestined to once again save them. However, I would be responsible with the technical work as well- discovering new things, such as D3's and the Digital Portal via internet. With my current schedule, it was impossible for me to go there as much as needed, as well as Tai, Sora, Mimi, Joe, and Matt. I was informed by Gennai, that TK and Kari, and three others would now venture there- with my help.
And the day that was set- I saw him. All grown up. Takeru. And the little crush that I had was gone. Or evolved, should I say. Upon laying eyes on this blonde-haired boy, his new hat and attire, practically a mid-teen, my school-boy crush evolved into what most would label as an obsession, or infatuation. Who would've thought? Izzy the little geek in love with TK? And what the hell made him think that TK would like him back? I mean, they barely knew each other!
It had been several days into the new era of DegiDestined, and I was getting anxious- making as many trips there as I could without missing out on my projects. One day, however, I was sitting alone in the lab at the school, working on a better way the newly found "DigiEggs" would work, when TK came in, by himself. No Pataman, no Kari (which was unusual), no nothing. Odd.
"Hey, Izzy, what's up?" he asked, the usual optimism hanging off of his tone.
"Um, nothing much, Takeru. How about you?" I didn't make eye contact. Too busy, ya know? Haha, not. Just didn't want anything to seem too obvious.
"Actually, I'm good. But there is something I want to discuss with you, Koushiro-kun. Is now a good time?"
I was a little startled upon hearing him use my full name, but kun? Now, something was up. Something that was making me tremble. I was sweating beads right now. I was about to reject him on fear of hurling right on the floor, when he walked over and stood directly next to me. He spun me around in my computer roller chair, and lifted me up. He was strong for his size!
"Please, Koushiro-kun? Izzy? I really need to talk to you about something. Er, someone. Please?" He had the cutest beggar's voice. And his azure eyes- tempting to the very least. I had no choice, but to accept. And that I did.