The underwater menace
The boy never knew if Hikari showing up at his apartment's door that afternoon had been a spontaneous idea from the girl or if it had been orchestrated by his parents, who had gone on a short trip.
Hikari had come under the excuse of watching DVDs of an old British TV show with him. It was soft science-fiction with a feeling of fairy tale, which she didn't think her brother would understand.
Years after their venture in the Digital World, the awkwardness of their alone times had diminished. Koushiro and Hikari had found a balance in each other's company. They encountered a way to touch on subjects that were normally too painful to talk about with other people. No matter how understanding and supportive their friends and families were, there were things that were only theirs to be discussed.
They sat on the sofa. However, they didn't play the DVD. They stared at the empty TV screen, barely blinking, waiting to see who would make a question first.
"Have you had visions of the Digital World lately?" Koushiro asked, taking the initiative.
"Our partners are doing fine. Things have been peaceful there." Hikari replied.
"I'm glad." He murmured.
"Do you still have nightmares?" She asked, glancing at him.
Koushiro's body stiffened, as it always happened when she made that question. Slowly, he moved a hand on the sofa, in her direction, stopping mid-way. The boy closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Hikari reached for his hand and squeezed it.
"Me too," she assured.
"Have I ever told you that I almost drowned once?" He asked, opening his eyes to meet hers. "I became afraid of water for a time, even my baths became shorter… but I force myself to stay under the shower a bit longer every day. It's agonizing, but I keep on doing it. Slowly, it got better. I can take longer baths now, but swimming still feels out of reach…"
"I can't get closer to the ocean again…" Hikari whispered. "Everybody enjoys the beach… it's fun for them. But when I look at the ocean…"
"I know." Koushiro told her, squeezing her trembling hand.
They stayed quiet for a few minutes.
"People think I'm fine… I give them that impression." He muttered. "As if I could be fine after so much death and destruction. But ordinary people, those who don't know… they look at me and think I'm doing just fine."
"It's a lonely feeling…" Hikari mumbled. "At least, we can be seen now. And our cries for help can be heard even without words."
She got closer to him on the sofa and rested her head on his shoulder.
"The digimon are okay now. Our friends are fine. Will we ever be?" Hikari asked.
Koushiro embraced her.
"Someday, we should try going to the beach together." He proposed. "We could only wet our feet first and then take a step further every day."
"Only if we hold each other's hands at all time." Hikari made a condition.
"Of course." Koushiro agreed.
They finally pressed play. "The underwater menace" turned out to be a more enjoyable Doctor Who serial than they had expected. Probably because they were in each other's company.
