August 1st, 2005
Odaiba Memorial Day

They walked home together as usual after they went back from the digital world. It was natural. No awkward silence. No holding hands. And it would continue to be like that if he didn't decide to stop talking all of a sudden then grabbed her hand and turned to stare at her.

The summer air was still hot and humid after sunset. They stood there at the old playground, the same one where they'd always met and played with each other when they were kids. She was confused by his action and he didn't seem to know what he was doing until she waved her free hand in front of his face.

Snapping out of his stupor, he looked at their hands then her face. She could tell that something in his eyes changed and she was mesmerized at the moment their eyes met.

"I have something to tell you." a small smile crossed his lips as he started speaking, "Something I wanted to tell you for years but.. " he paused, noticing that she didn't listen to him, "Oi, oi, are you still with me?" he asked, lowering his face to the same level as hers.

Losing focus from his eyes she blinked, "Oh, yes. Go ahead."

His smile turned into a grin, satisfied with her answer and knowing that her full attention was on him now, "You have to promise me something." she nodded instantly and he continued, "After this, promise me that everything between us will not change."

"Why?"

"Because we're best friends and I just want to let you know."

Unable to ignore her quickening heartbeats, she averted her gaze to something else, anything but his eyes. However, he managed to get her attention back again when she felt his little finger slip around hers. She couldn't help but chuckle at his childish act and his trying-so-hard-to-be-serious expression.

"Promise?" he asked.

"Promise." she smiled.

He straightened a bit and grinned back, looking solely into her eyes.

Chocolates met crimsons.


i. red

"I love you."

Yagami Taichi walked away in the direction that Ishida Yamato stood, waiting for him. That left her, Takenouchi Sora, standing alone at her shoe locker, still in a daze after Taichi came up to her, talking normally and saying those words in his usual tone like it was some kind of goodbye then giving her his brilliant smile — the smile that was almost as bright as the sun.

Six months had passed since the day Taichi first confessed to her. She still didn't give him an answer and he didn't expect anything either. Everything was the same just like they promised, except for one thing. He always said he loved her whenever the topic of romance was brought up and she couldn't deny that no matter how much she heard it from him, it still made her heart race.

It wasn't that Sora didn't feel anything for Taichi and it certainly wasn't because she thought he wasn't serious about all the things he said. She just didn't want to rush into a relationship, especially with him, because he was her best friend.

Sora ended her relationship with Yamato a year ago and they stayed good friends after that. It wasn't a bad break up but it did teach her many things about being in a relationship. One of those was that she shouldn't make any sudden decisions about the thing called love, her supposed-to-be-excellent trait judging by her crest.

"Sora-san!"

The sound of her name brought Sora back to reality, turning to look at the opposite direction Taichi and Yamato disappeared, Sora saw her cinnamon haired friend running from outside the building to catch up with her.

Tachikawa Mimi was out of breath, "Nee, Sora-san, do you.. have anything prepared.. for the next.. Tuesday?" Mimi asked, her voice filled with excitement. Sora just stared at her, trying very hard to figure out what was going to happen on that day.

"Don't tell me you forget!" Mimi shrieked, "It's Valentine's Day!"

Realization dawned on Sora and then she said, "Mimi-chan, today is only Thursday. Besides, I don't think I need to.. " she trailed off, her thoughts turning back to the certain brown haired boy.

Knowing what her friend was thinking, Mimi smirked, "I know—" she paused, shaking her head dramatically, "No no, I mean the whole school knows there's something going on between you and Taichi-san!"

"Mimi-chan, Taichi is my friend and we're not dating—"

"—yet." Mimi ended the sentence as she changed from her shoes into her school slippers, "Sora-san, do you know that many girls didn't approach Taichi-san just because they thought you guys were going out? My friends, even."

Sora tried to disagree but Mimi cut her off in a serious tone, "But Valentine's Day is the most dangerous! You need to act fast!"

Amused by her enthusiastic friend, Sora replied, "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say Mimi-chan."

"That's GREAT! You have to come with me on Saturday then. We're gonna make the best Valentine's chocolate!" Mimi announced, smiling happily before both of them headed to their classes together.

::

Sitting down at their usual spot in the cafeteria, Sora looked around the table. Everyone briefly gave her nods and smiles, acknowledging her presence.

Aside from eating, Kido Jou was reading his biology book. Izumi Koushirou was glancing at his laptop occasionally. Yamato was concentrating on a sheet of paper in front of him while Mimi pointed something here and there for him to fix. Sora was positive that it was Yamato's new song which came from Mimi's idea.

Their group of friends surely was a strange combination, especially to outsiders who didn't know about the summer of 1999. They were from different classes and years. Almost none of their interests or personalities overlapped. Sometimes, they didn't even talk to each other, just doing their own things in silence, yet they all agreed to have lunch together like this once a week and Sora was always happy to be with them.

"Where's Taichi?" she asked automatically.

Yamato looked up. His eyes met Mimi's for a second before he answered, "He had some.. stuff to do." he shrugged, "Probably won't take long."

Sora just threw a suspicious look at Yamato. It's no use asking him anything when his attention already turned back to his song. She knew him that well. Instead, Sora looked at Mimi who had a sly smile on her face.

"Asuka Rin-chan, my classmate, had something to talk with Ta—Oh!" Mimi exclaimed. Her gaze stopped at the cafeteria entrance and everybody's eyes, even Jou, followed her line of sight.

There they were, Taichi and Rin, walking into the cafeteria together. The girl said something to him and because of the noise, he leaned down to listen and nodded. Then they stopped. She bowed slightly. Taichi smiled at her before she walked to her friends.

" ..I think it was a love confession." Mimi finished smoothly as Taichi headed toward their table.

"Hey guys!" Taichi sat down next to Sora.

After a few moments of silence and a staring battle at Taichi who already started his meal, oblivious of his surroundings, everybody resumed their previous activities.

Tried as she might, Sora couldn't stop glancing at Taichi and for what seemed like an eternity or exactly — the seventh time she threw her glance at him, her eyes met his.

"What's wrong, Sora?"

Sora mentally slapped herself for letting Taichi catch her and muttered, "Nothing."

Taichi just stared at her, his right elbow on the table, his cheek resting against his palm.

"What?" Sora asked nervously.

"Nothing?" he smiled at her.

For no reason, a slight blush spread across Sora's cheeks. She quickly looked away from Taichi and fixed her gaze at her lunch. That caused her to miss Jou's smile, Koushirou's knowing look behind his laptop, Mimi's mischievous grin and Yamato's smirk.

::

Later that day, after their club activities, Sora found Taichi waiting for her at the school gate to walk home together. A smile appeared on his face when he saw her.

Unfortunately for them, while the sky was still bright, the winter rain that came out of nowhere started to fall. As a result, they rushed to the nearest overhang that could shield them from the downpours.

Dumping their bags on the bench, Taichi looked at the sky then averted his gaze to Sora and raised his eyebrow. She just smiled at him and he knew she'd rather stay here, enjoying the sound and the freshness of the pouring rain so he leaned against the bench and closed his eyes, his hands behind his head.

Out of habit, Sora grabbed her iPod from her bag but then decided against it as she watched and listened to the rain.

She and Taichi often shared earphones when they were on the train or even on their breaks in school. It was one of many things she found comfortable to do with only him and it was also one of many things that made everyone else mistake them for a couple since a long time ago. Sora had never noticed them before, not until she got so self-conscious after his confession.

Unconsciously, her thought drifted back to the previous afternoon. Asuka Rin and Taichi. That girl was pretty. They would look good together if they were a couple.

She shifted her gaze to the sky then closed her eyes and let the sound of the rain occupied her sense, not wanting to think about anything anymore.

At least until Taichi started speaking.

"That girl.. Asuka, asked me if we're dating."

For a moment, Sora really thought that Taichi could read her mind. She opened her eyes and looked at him. Surprisingly, he was still in the same position, eyes closed.

"I told her we aren't." he continued, "but I love you."

Sora inhaled sharply.

"She looked sad and then she laughed." he frowned, "Frankly, I didn't understand her at all."

Incredulously, Sora stared at him and muttered, "I'm glad you're so dense sometimes."

"What?" his eyes snapped open.

"Nothing, I was just thinking aloud." she sighed to herself, "Why did you tell me?"

"Just wanted you to know." he shrugged, "She talked about you too."

"Nee, Taichi.. " she glanced at him, "Since you told me you loved me.. You're waiting for me.. and since you're still my friend — my best friend and everything. Well, I mean it's just.. I'm just wondering that maybe if you're not—"

"You're rambling." he smirked at her.

Sora blushed slightly.

"I lost you once that Christmas but I could deal with it because that was Yamato." he sighed. His eyes met hers for a second and she could almost see a sorrowful glint in them, "After you broke up with him, I knew I just couldn't let you go again without trying to do anything."

"But what if.. " she hesitated, "What if I like another guy?"

"It's your decision to make." he stated sincerely, "I already told you what I wanted to. It's ok if you don't feel the same way I do. I'll still be your best friend just like this."

As the droplets of water were pouring down against the earth, the two of them sat silently, completely lost in their thoughts.

After a long pause, absent-mindedly Sora asked, "How did you.. well, convince yourself to do that?"

Taichi laughed.

"Maybe that's why I've got the crest of courage in the first place." he looked into her eyes, "You know, love takes courage." he straightened, smiling.

It wasn't bright and careless but warm and gentle — definitely not his usual smile — and it made her heart flutter inexplicably.

There was a part of her that she didn't want to accept — a small, selfish and unreasonable part that was afraid to change what they already had together. It kept telling her not to cross the line and not to let him go at the same time.

However, at this moment, it didn't matter anymore.

Sora found herself leaning towards him. For some reasons, she knew she couldn't — shouldn't — wouldn't stop and she kissed him, just a peck on his lips, then quickly pulled back.

Taichi was absolutely dumbfounded, his eyes widening.

"I think.. I can understand you now." she mumbled as she brushed her fingers against her lips ever so slightly and smiled.


ii. orange

"I love you."

Sora got up, grabbed her bag and ran off into the rain without saying another word.

Taichi was utterly speechless then suddenly became extremely happy. How could he not? His best friend and first crush and first love and — just kissed him and told him that she loved him back.

At the same time, he had never felt more confused. He had no idea how long he had been sitting there and pondered. Was it a dream? Why did she run off? Why didn't he run after her? When did the rain stop? And more importantly, how in the world did he bring himself back to his apartment?

Taichi shook his head, trying to bring his consciousness back as he opened the door. Now, he wanted nothing more than to throw himself on his bed, basking in the wonderful sensation floating in his chest whenever he thought about the feeling of her soft lips against his and those three simple words in her sweet voice.

"Tadaima!" he said aloud as he took his shoes off and was greeted by the sight of two teens in the living room after he walked in.

Yagami Hikari and Takaishi Takeru sat together on the couch, talking and laughing with each other, her head resting on his shoulder.

It was absolutely not the pose that the normal overprotective-big-brother Taichi was fond of and both Hikari and Takeru or maybe just the latter seemed to know that fact very well. Takeru shot to his feet with a nervous smile on his face, expecting the worst to come while Hikari just sat there greeting her brother with her angelic smile.

"Okaeri, Onii-chan."

To Takeru's relief and Hikari's surprise, Taichi briefly nodded at them and headed towards his room.

Hikari knew at the first glance she took that something was strange about her older brother. She approached him and asked, "Onii-chan, what happened?"

Taichi paused, looking at his sister then pulled her into a tight embrace. Hikari yelped in surprise. Before she could do anything, he released her.

"The most fantastic thing ever." Taichi replied, a delightful grin spreading across his face.

Hikari and Takeru looked at each other, confusion reflecting in both their eyes as Taichi strolled into his room, disappearing from their sights.

::

Unfortunately, Taichi's happiness seemed to fade away in the days later.

First, Sora texted him a brief, curt and strange message, telling him not to wait for her to go to school or to go back together — Taichi didn't understand her but he dismissed all of his thoughts because tomorrow was Friday. No matter what, he would meet her at school anyway.

Then, whenever Sora saw him at school, she just smiled at him and hurriedly slipped out of his sight. At lunch or during breaks, she suddenly had something to discuss with her friends in like every five minutes so she sat with them and didn't even glance at him — Taichi couldn't understand her but he knew that he could go see her at her apartment or wherever on Saturday and Sunday anyway.

Yet, he found himself walking back to his apartment in disappointment two days in a row when Sora's mother told him that Sora was hanging out with Mimi, shopping and doing all the girl stuff including something about Valentine's Day — Taichi really couldn't understand her but he knew he could call or text her and talk to her anyway.

Still, his calls couldn't reach Sora or exactly — she didn't answer all of his calls, not a single one — Taichi really couldn't understand her at all but he knew he would definitely talk to her on the next day because she would be at school on Monday anyway.

Finally, when he ran into her before their homeroom, she said directly to him, the first time in four days, that she had to help Mimi with something about Valentine's gifts at lunch and she had to help her mom at the flowers shop after school because of Valentine's Day.

Before he could say anything, she rushed off and the first bell rang. It truly was the sound of complete defeat.

Eventually, Taichi gave up and made his decision — he would try to talk to her again after the damn Valentine's Day.

Now, in his last class of Monday, Taichi was sitting listlessly next to Yamato who was humming one of his songs quietly, visibly relaxed and didn't seem to know what was going on with his best friend beside him.

The last bell rang. It was the sound of freedom.

Taichi and Yamato gathered their belongings, slipped past the door and headed to their clubs. That was when Yamato decided to break the silence, "Taichi, I don't wanna interrupt your gloom and doom mood but seriously, what the hell is wrong with you?"

Taichi replied on autopilot, "Nothing."

Still, for a brief moment, Taichi was surprised and grateful for the observation of his blond-haired friend.

Yamato rolled his eyes, "It's written all over your face."

Before Taichi could argue back, he spotted something at the opposite end of the hall and he stopped in his tracks. There she was, his Sora. Her face lit up. Her eyes brightened. Her smile was shining.

But that smile was not meant for him. Sora was talking with a guy — who wasn't him.

::

Taichi stormed towards Sora, grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the main building, completely ignoring the confused Yamato, the bewildered Sora and a surprised expression of that guy. When they reached his destination beside the gym, he released her hand and gave her the sternest look he could muster on his face.

"We need to talk."

"I already told you I have to help my mom at the flowers shop. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day." she said nonchalantly.

Before Sora could manage to walk away, avoiding another conversation with him, Taichi drove her against the brick wall. One of his hands placed firmly on her shoulder, the other against the wall, blocking her from getting away again.

"That can wait." he stated.

Knowing that she couldn't escape anymore, Sora sighed and gave up, "Okay, let's talk then."

"Why did you do all of these?" he demanded, "Didn't answer my calls, didn't speak to me, kept avoiding me everytime I tried to talk to you and you! You were just talking and smiling with that.. Saki? Satoshi? Whatever that guy name's!" he growled in frustration.

Amused, she asked, "Jealous, are we?"

"That's not the point! Why did you talk to everyone else and not me!" he tried to explain and waited for her answer but the only thing she gave him was her innocent smile.

"Fine! Yes, I'm jealous!" he admitted, "Because I love you! And that day, you were the one who told me you loved me too!" he released her shoulder and ran his hand through his hair, messing it up — in case it could be messier. Now he was really angry at her and himself.

"Nee Taichi, let me tell you something." she said, still smiling that smile.

He glared at her, "You have many things to tell me Sora."

She met his gaze and started to giggle, "You're so cute when you're mad."

"W-What?" he certainly wasn't expecting that.

When Sora saw a drastic change in his expressions, her giggle turned into a laugh and that made Taichi even more flustered. He inwardly groaned then did the first thing that came to his mind to stop her laughter — kissing her.

Sora was shocked at first but soon, she realized what was going on and to his dismay, she broke off the kiss.

"I thought we were here to talk." she muttered, her cheeks flushed.

"You were the one who didn't talk!" he protested vehemently but then started grinning. "Then again, I don't mind if we do this instead." he said and leaned down to capture her lips again.

"W-wait! I will tell you." she stuttered, trying to push him away. Taichi stopped just a few inches away from her face.

"Would you please give me some room to breathe?" she asked, blushing madly from the close proximity of his face and hers.

"No, we're fine like this." he answered with an amused smile. For some reasons or maybe because of the kiss, his frustration seemed to evaporate in the air.

After regaining her composure, Sora began, "I was avoiding you because I planned to talk to you and tell you everything tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Valentine's Day?"

"Yes, Valentine's Day." she paused and eyed him accusingly, "But because someone was so impatient.. "

As if being stabbed by her gaze, he winced slightly, looking back at her and giving her a sheepish grin.

"How could I be patient with something like this?" he mumbled and leaned in, his lips slightly grazing hers to emphasize the point. Shortly after that, he pulled away from her and frowned, "What was the thing you were planning to tell me?"

She blinked, replying in a daze, "What?"

"Something like 'I love you' or 'Will you be my Valentine?', huh?" he smirked.

Avoiding his gaze, she blushed and murmured, "I think you already knew it now."

Taichi smiled and gently lifted her chin up, forcing her to look at him. Then he leaned down and kissed her once more, this time without her protest. Almost instantly, she melted into his arms and had to wrap her arms around his neck to steady herself as his hand stroked her cheek. Holding her waist tightly, he grinned against her lips and pulled her in closer to deepen the kiss.

"Taichi-san, Sor—Whoa!"

Hearing their names, the two of them pulled away from each other. Silly smiles appeared on their faces when they saw Yamato and Mimi.

"Well, we were just wondering if you two wanted to hear our new song." Mimi said, trying so hard to stop giggling.

Yamato continued with a smirk, "We didn't know you guys were busy."

Sora stood still, blushing all over again as Taichi gave Yamato a mock glare, "Shut it, Ishida. Give us a few minutes and we'll be more than ready."

"Fine." Yamato chuckled, "We'll be waiting. Just don't overdo it." he said then nodded at Mimi who beamed at both of them and gave Sora a thumb up before she walked back with Yamato.

Taichi then turned to look at Sora, a wicked smile on his face, "Actually, I tend not to listen to Yamato's suggestion so what should we do now?"

Sora playfully hit him as a reply.

Taichi laughed then took her hand, "Let's go hear our Rock Star and Princess then."

Before they followed Yamato and Mimi, Sora grabbed his loose necktie and pulled Taichi down, pressing her lips against his in a chaste kiss.

"I love you." she whispered, smiling, no hesitation in her voice.

Giving her his famous lop-sided grin, he squeezed her hand and looked into her eyes, "I love you too."


February 14th, 2006
Valentine's Day

Leaning against the shoe locker, Taichi looked around. Some girls and boys were talking, smiling and confessing. Various types of valentine's chocolate were sent to friends and boyfriends. At his right side, Yamato was trying to clear all the love letters from his locker in order to get his slippers out.

"My concert tonight, don't forget." Yamato said to Taichi after a few minutes had passed and walked towards his bandmates only to be blocked by his screaming fangirls who were ready to throw their chocolate and themselves at him. Desperately, Yamato looked back for help. Taichi wryly grinned at him.

To Yamato's relief and Taichi's disappointment, Mimi came up and dragged Yamato away.

Taichi chuckled at his friends and walked to Sora's shoe locker. Today, they didn't walk to school together because Sora wanted to help her mom opened the shop. As Taichi walked closer, he spotted Jou and his girlfriend — Natsume, walking into the building, pleasant smiles on their faces.

When he reached Sora's locker, Koushirou walked past him with a mysterious box of chocolate in his hand. He smiled at Taichi sheepishly.

At that moment, something in Taichi's head screamed at him to ask Koushirou some questions but Taichi tried his hardest to ignore it and just gazed at Koushirou until he was out of sight.

Taichi turned to look the other side when he felt something poking on his shoulder softly. His eyes met Sora's.

"You're in my way." she pointed at her locker behind him.

"That was the meanest greeting I've ever heard." he grinned and stepped aside, "How was your shop?"

"Not as busy as White Day but still livelier than normal." Sora replied as she changed her shoes.

"And since you work at flowers shop I assume that dozens of roses won't do any better than a single so I'll just give you this." he leaned against the locker holding two vermilion roses in his hand.

She paused and eyed the roses in surprise, "Why today?"

"Why not? It's just a gift for my best friend." he handed her the first rose, "And of course, this one is for my girl—" he suddenly paused and shifted his gaze from the second rose to her. A look of realization dawned on his face.

Sora stared at him, half-confused and half-amused.

"You.. No! well, I.. didn't... err, we aren't.. dating.. I didn't ask you out yesterday!" he spluttered, horrified.

Sora rolled her eyes.

"Wait, what should I say? Will you be my g—" she placed her forefinger against his lips to silence him then took the second rose from his hand.

"That's not right, Taichi-chan." she smirked, "Will you go out with me?"

His jaw dropped, "You.. stole my line.."

"Technically, I didn't. You were going to say 'Will you be my girlfriend?'."

"But that's not fair! You have no idea how long I've wanted to say that." he groaned.

She giggled and arched her eyebrow, "So 'Yes' or 'No'?"

"Yes, of course!"

"Then.. " she opened her bag and took out two boxes of homemade chocolate, "This is for my boyfriend." she handed him the heart-shaped box, "And you also get the obligation one because you're my best friend and I know how much you love food." she handed the smaller square-shaped one to him.

"Thank you." he gave her a gleeful smile and took them, "That's why I love you so much."

She chuckled, "Let's go to our classes, shall we?"

Taichi nodded but after she started walking for a while, he suddenly grasped her hand, tugging at it lightly.

She stopped and turned back, "What?"

"I've just remembered I have another thing to give you." his eyes brightened, "It's very important!"

Sora eyed Taichi in anticipation as he tried to search every pocket of his clothes. Eventually, he took something out of his trouser pocket.

It was her iPod.

Sora just stared blankly at him.

"Don't give me that look." Taichi shook his head with a serious expression, "This is the thing you left after you kissed me, declared that you loved me and ran away." he explained earnestly, "It's like a Cinderella's glass slipper!"

Couldn't control herself any longer, Sora laughed hysterically.

"Hey, don't underestimate it!" he shrieked, pouting slightly. However, a small smile broke out on his face when his eyes met hers and then he started laughing too.

Simple as that, they walked off together, hand in hand. Their eyes gleamed with love and happiness.


A/N: This story was written based on Japanese theme/cultures.

- "Tadaima" means I'm home.
- "Okaeri" means welcome home.
- "Onii-chan" means older brother.
- Japanese students wear school slippers when they are indoors.
- On Japanese Valentine's day, girls give chocolate and confess their love to boys.
- There're two types of chocolate: "Honmei-choco" (for a boyfriend or a love confession) and "Giri-choco" (obligation chocolate for friends)
- Boys who receive chocolate on Valentine's Day will return their gifts to the girls on White Day. (March 14th)
- "-san" is the honorific suffix Mimi used to call Taichi, Yamato and Sora in Digimon Adventure. (not sure about 02)
- In 2005, Jou was in grade 12. Taichi, Yamato, Sora were in grade 11. Koushirou and Mimi were in grade 10. Takeru and Hikari were in grade 8.

Thank you!