Author's Notes:

What the hell possessed me to do a Digimon fic? But anyway... season 3 was the best if you ask me. I feel old looking back at how long ago it aired…

This story picks up where the series left off. I'm aiming for a romantic comedy, but let's see how it works out.

Disclaimer: You don't really think I own Digimon or any of its characters, do you?

We just got a new student in class. And think, the year's half over already. And it's the same day our teacher introduces a long term project. We have to work in partners, and so far, that's all we know. Naturally, Kenta and Kazu come running at me.

"Dude," Kazu's just as loud and obnoxious as ever, "you think we can get the teacher to let us work as a group of three?"

"Yeah, there are 27 students in class," Kenta tries to think logically. Too bad he forgot about the new student.

"There's 28 now," I say. "You forgot about her, didn't you?"

"Oops…I did." Kenta laughs sheepishly.

I look towards the back of the classroom. Everyone is pairing with their usual partners. One person is left out. I turn back to my best friends.

"Sorry guys, you can work together," the look on their faces is priceless, "Just don't fail, got it?"

Kenta just keeps on looking confused, but Kazu figures out what's going on. "You got it, Takato. I'll make sure we get a good score." He puts his arm around his partner's shoulders, even though Kenta's face screams "Help me."

I leave my seat to find myself a partner.

"I'd say everything's normal, but what's normal anyway?"

"Stop trying to be smart, it doesn't suit you."

I only laugh.

"Something funny?"

"You need a partner, don't you? I know we can work well together, we have before."

"Whatever, goggle-head."

"So, Rika, I guess we're partners then."

It turns out the assignment is to explain what effects the interaction between two people. The teacher says it's to understand human psychology. We have six weeks to prepare a report.

"I recommend you do things outside of school with your partner," the teacher explains, "It doesn't really matter what you do, just find things you can do together. There's going to see a movie, playing games, or whatever else you can think of. Keep a journal of how you feel about certain situations. That way, you'll have solid data for your report."

The day finishes on that note, and I'm glad about that. Just as I'm leaving the building, Rika stops me.

"You know, you're lucky this is an assignment," what a way to greet me, huh?

"Uhh…"

"I have my own things to do. But now I have to spend time with you. Not my idea of a great time."

"Well, what would you have done if you didn't have a partner?" I argue my defense.

"I woulda managed."

"Uh-huh."

"You're such a pain. I think your goggles are on too tight, cutting off the circulation to your brain," Rika complains as she walks off towards her mother's car.

"Thanks for the compliment!" I shout after her, waving my arm.

That went well, I think to myself.

Takato's Report 01

Well, I've known Rika for a good while now. I thought we were friends, but I guess she needs to figure that out for herself. She's so stuck up sometimes. I think it's funny how she seems to force herself to make fun of me. Is she hiding something I should know about? Nah, just kidding. She's got a heart colder than ice, caged up behind solid steel walls, I swear. I decided to be her partner because it looked like no one else was, and she might as well work with someone she knows, right?

That's it for chapter 1(wow...short...), I hope it wasn't too bad. And if you can tell me why I did a Digimon fic, let me know.