"Congratulations Odaiba High School class of 2015!" An entire group of people in green robes stood up in unison to throw caps of the same green as high into the air as possible. The room filled with noises of all sorts, ranging from cries of the graduates to the applause of the audience.

"Izzy! Izzy, we did it!" Tai Kamiya had just found his cap when he spotted Izzy Izumi in the hectic crowd. The tall boy ran up and shared a short, sweet kiss with his boyfriend. "I wouldn't have made it here without you, buddy!"

"Calculus almost had you beat, but it was all you, Tai," said Izzy. "I'm so proud of you!" Tai wrapped his arm around Izzy's neck and started for their parents waiting outside.

"PICTURES, BOYS!" It was hard to tell which woman was more excited about graduation: Mrs. Kamiya or Mrs. Izumi. Tai and Izzy had taken pictures not only with each other, but just about every person they ever went to school with over the past 13 years.

"Izzy, help," whispered Tai. "I don't think I can stop smiling. I'm stuck like this, look!" Izzy glanced over at Tai to see him stretching his smile as far as he possibly could. "Stop!" said Izzy, "You look like Piedmon!" The boys and their families burst out into laughter, Izzy going on to beat Tai with an even bigger smile.

The original team of Digidestined had planned a joint graduation party many months in advance. Mimi had even put her American roadtrip on hold for the event.

T.K. and Kari spent an entire day decorating a local venue for the party and wouldn't let the other six see it until they walked in for the actual event.

"We're almost inside, guys. I'm so excited for you to see it!" said Kari leading the blindfolded group.

"Can we speed things up?" said Joe, "Being blindfolded reminds me of the time when I ran into a piñata."

"Alright, blindfolds off!" yelled T.K.

The six graduates removed their blindfolds to see banners of orange, blue, red, purple, green, and gray covering the ceilings. The round tables had centerpieces with paper mache digivices. A banquet of foods lined the side of the venue.

XXX

"Thanks for coming everyone!" said Tai, "And thanks for all your presents!"

"Now let's PARTY!" yelled Mimi grabbing Sora and running onto the dance floor.

The crowd giggled along with the group of friends as the lights dimmed and the DJ began his set. His light show came on and it quickly became difficult to have a conversation with the person next to you.

"Let's move to the kitchen, Tai," said Izzy. Before the Tai could respond, the red head had grabbed his hand and was making haste. Matt and Joe noticed and followed.

"Much better," said Izzy "I don't think I'll ever enjoy the atmosphere of a loud party."

"You're so weird, Izzy," said Tai pulling up a stool to sit on. "But whatever, we have all night to dance. No need to start right away."

Matt and Joe managed to find some leftover appetizer plates that hadn't been opened inside the fridge and brought them over for the group to share.

"So, Matt" said Joe "When does your band leave for your tour?"

"Monday morning, 4:00 a.m. sharp," said Matt. "Which cannot come quick enough if you ask me. I can't wait to get out of here."

"But what about Sora? You don't want to leave her, do you?" asked a concerned Izzy.

Matt avoided making eye contact with the other boys, looking down at his nervously dancing feet before finally speaking. "Well, we kind of broke things off…"

"WHAT?!" said the group. Joe's glasses tilted on his face in his surprise, but he didn't seem to care. Izzy had grabbed Tai's hand for physical and possibly emotional support.

Tai gulped and managed to ask the next question you ask in this sort of situation. "When? Why?"

"This morning," said Matt. "With me going on tour and her starting her college courses early, we would have no time for each other. It was the best decision for both parties."

The rest of the boys were still rather speechless. Matt and Sora had been together since before high school even started. And all of the sudden, they weren't anymore. It was like as if two planets casually decided to switch places.

"We would have never been able to see each other," said Matt filling the silence. "There's really no point to a relationship if you're constantly separated."

Tai and Izzy glanced at each other at seemingly the exact same time. All Tai really wanted to do was hold Izzy, as he was suddenly so grateful for him. Izzy couldn't imagine not being with Tai after all this time and didn't understand how Matt was holding up so well.

"I have more aunts and uncles here than I can count, so I'm gonna go mingle," said Matt. "I'll see you guys out there later."

"That's really unfortunate about Matt and Sora, but life goes on," said Joe. "I wouldn't want to be tied down while I was going to school, in my honest opinion. You two are going to the same school in the fall, right?"

"Yah!" said Tai, "We're going to be roommates!"

"Good for you guys. You won't have to worry about not being together or…I'm coming, I'm coming oh my gosh"

Joe was interrupted mid sentence by Yolei, who had ran in and demanded a slow-dance with him. Tai and Izzy were left alone in the kitchen.

Joe's trailing words left Tai worried about his future with Izzy. What if, even though they'd be roommates at the same school, college tore them in opposite directions? "Just look what happened to Matt and Sora," thought Tai, "It only took a little bit of separation to break them up." Tai realized he had to make sure he and Izzy wouldn't start to drift apart.

"I love you, Izzy," said Tai brushing his hand against the shorter boy's cheek. "Promise me we'll always be together."

Tai didn't realize how childish his words sounded until after they had left his mouth. How could he make Izzy promise his something he knew could easily be broken?

Izzy knew what Tai was asking him to promise was a bit ridiculous, but was used to the ridiculous having Tai for a boyfriend guaranteed.

"Tai, it's ok to be apart. It's healthy. I love you too, but isn't being together all the time a little much to ask for?" said Izzy.

"Just. Promise me. Please." Tai had switched from serious boy to adorable google-head, which just happened to be Izzy's weakness.

Izzy couldn't contain his grin. "Alright, alright. You and I will always be together."

Tai rubbed his nose against Izzy's forehead. "Promise?"

"Promise."

Xxxxx

A week had gone by since the graduation party. Mimi was deep in the heart of Texas by this point and had been sure to send postcards from every state she visited. Sora and Joe began summer courses at the local community college and Matt was preparing for his 5th show of the week 200 miles away.

"Izzy, dear, can you see if the mail is here?" Mrs. Izumi was preparing breakfast for the family + Tai on the early Saturday morning.

"Sure thing, mom!" Izzy walked out the door and down the stairs to the mailroom. Tai got himself situated on the counter, watching Mrs. Izumi at work.

"Have you sent in those roommate request forms to Keio University yet, Tai?" asked Mrs. Izumi

"Yes, I sent them in a few days before graduation. I'm hoping we get approved and soon!" said Tai.

"Izzy's major is Science and Technology, but what is yours again?"

"Business and Commerce. Nothing else really seemed to fit. And it also all sounded so boringgg" said Tai.

The sound of the front door closing was accompanied by Izzy walking in very slowly, reading something.

"What you got there, bud?" asked Tai.

Izzy paused and looked up from the paper that was trembling in his hands. "It's a letter," said Izzy quietly. "It's a letter…from Nagaoka University of Technology."

Mrs. Izumi gasped and ran over to Izzy. Tai remained seated, his heart in his throat.

"Well?" shrieked Mrs. Izumi. "What does it say?"

"Dear Mr. Izzy Izumi…"