Izzy's Date with Destiny
Chapter 1: Can Any Man Stand Alone?
1 year after the events of Digimon Adventure 02
Izumi Residence
Odaiba, Tokyo
"That sounds great, guys". Izzy hung up the phone after hearing the invitation. Despite his seemingly enthusiastic words, there was no mistaking the hurt in his eyes. His mouth was also clenched in an especially somber look.
His partner Digimon seemed to notice Izzy's pain. "What's wrong, Izzy?" Tentomon asked him gently, concern in his buzzing beetle voice. Despite the fact that he was questioning, Tentomon had a hunch about what was troubling his friend and human partner.
"It's a romantic get-together for my friends." Izzy replied. "After we defeated Malomyotismon last year, several pairs of our friends started dating. It's just-I feel so alone." Izzy choked out, his voice cracking. Staring into his partner human's eyes, Tentomon noticed a glint of tears.
Tentomon figured as much. After the final battle with Myotismon, TK and Kari finally admitted their friendship had blossomed into love (along with their respective Digimon partners), and Yolei had confessed the depth of her feelings for Ken. This was the celebration of the start of the one year anniversary of the relationships of all three of these couples. Matt and his band, Teen-Age Wolves, were performing, and Tai and Sora were hosting soccer and tennis games for everyone invited who wanted to play.
Despite such a fun, festive atmosphere, Izzy was reluctant to go. The blooming romances between his friends made him realize that he was just a dumpy computer nerd. Tai was an adventurous star athlete, who had an empathic and compassionate personality to enhance that appeal. He attracted many girls. Matt was a rocker, and had boyish good looks plus a warm, easygoing temperament to go with his musical talents. He attracted many girls. T.K. may not have seemed like a ladies' man at first, but his gentle nature made him popular with girls, many of whom were insanely jealous of Kari.
And what did Izzy have? He could state the number of valence electrons in a normal atom of every element, and name the capital of every state, province, and region in every country. Big fat !#$%^& deal.
Izzy was crying. Tears ran into his ears. "I'm just a geek. I'll never get a girlfriend, let alone a wife." He covered his face with his arms.
"Izzy, there's a soul mate for everyone." Tentomon cooed. "You remember how much pain Davis was in when Kari chose T.K. over him? Now he's sharing a great relationship with that Dark Spore victim-I forget her name."
"Yes, but he's a soccer star." Izzy sniffled. "I have nothing but my brains. What good are smarts to attract a lady?"
"You may be overlooking possible prospects." Tentomon offered. "Do you remember that Indian DigiDestined girl? She is very smart, and not bad looking to boot. And you saw her at a computer science conference in Korea, just last month."
"Mina?" Izzy replied. " She doesn't know the extent of my quirkiness. We'll be friends at best."
"I don't know about" Tentomon fought back. "She did recognize you back there in Seoul. And she stared at you for more than a minute straight."
"I know a hyperbole when I hear one." Izzy said with the ghost of a smile. "She was just unsure of who I was." The grin on Izzy's face had vanished. "I've got to get to the anniversary party." Izzy shuffled out the door.
Tentomon did not follow. "Oh Izzy" he whispered. "If you could only see the way she loves you."