A/N: Err…this is my pathetic attempt at a Mimato. It may look like Taito at first, but trust me, it's not. I started writing it while I was on vacation in NY. It was pouring with rain and being stuck in a hotel room ain't fun! Matt, Tai, Sora & Mimi are all 18 and in their last year of school (by the GB system, I'm not sure how it works in Japan) and TK & Kari are um…13, At first. Right now, I'm back in merry old England and listening to the S Club 7 album. Do they have them in the States? How should I know? I'm the clueless little Brit! ^_~ (Note: Daphne from Frasier ROCKS with a capital 'R'. If I was her, I'd have punched Frasier by now for making all those cracks about my country. Ironic isn't it, that Frasier is one of my favourite TV programmes, but Frasier himself is the only character I can't stand. God he annoys me soooooooooooooooo much!)
N-e-wayz, in case you don't know, S Club 7 is this mind-numbingly bubbly pop group. Normally I stick to rock, but I'm kinda depressed, so I thought I'd stick this on. Just a warning, it greatly affects my writing…probably for the worst. Oh, well at least it guarantees a sickly sweet ending!
*shudders* Man, have I really run out of good songs to quote? Well I'm listening to this song right now, so what the hell.
'We are two in a million
We've got all the luck we could be given
If the world should stop, we'd still have each other
And no matter what we'll be forever as one' - S Club 7 : p 'Two in a Million'
The embarrassing part is that I've just discovered that I somehow know all the words to half the songs. OMG! *shoots self in head*
Disclaimer: *jumps back to life to write disclaimer* I don't own anything except about a million bottles of nail polish and one soon-to-be-destroyed S Club 7 CD. Please sue me for it! I can't seem to stop playing the damn thing!
Additional notes are in brackets. And excuse the typos, I can't be bothered to check it.
Matt Ishida and Mimi Tachikawa walked side by side down the school corridor, fingers casually interlaced. They had been dating since Christmas the previous year, and as this school year drew to a close, they remained inseparable. Mimi sighed contentedly and glanced sideways at the boy next to her. His stormy blue eyes stared straight ahead and his face wore a look of cool detachment. He had an irresistible air of mystery about him, and Mimi loved that she was one of the few people who knew the real Matt. She had achieved what even Matt's own mother had failed to do, and broken through the defensive barrier he had erected around himself.
Mimi's thoughts were interrupted by a loud, shrill wolf whistle from behind them. Matt stopped abruptly, but instead of looking back, he turned to Mimi.
" You or me? " (as in 'was that directed at…') he said with a grin which Mimi returned. The two were the most desired pupils in their school, and it was common knowledge that half the student body had prayed for their break-up since their first date. Whistles were common to both of them.
Before Mimi could speak, an arm was thrown around each of their shoulders, and the face of the culprit appeared between them.
" Both of ya." Tai said in answer to Matt's question. Mimi flashed a smile.
" Both of us?" she asked innocently, with a glance in Matt's direction " Tai, is there something you're not telling us? " Tai's grin broadened, and he looked at Matt, playing along.
" Well actually Matt…" He began in a serious voice. Mimi giggled, but Matt apparently did not find this particularly amusing. He made an exasperated noise in his throat, delicately removed Tai's arm from his shoulders and continued walking to his music class alone. Tai and Mimi exchanged a look then hurried to catch up with their temperamental friend/boyfriend, whatever.
" Matt don't do this again." Mimi whined slipping her arm through his. If Matt had a flaw, it was his moods. They were impossible to anticipate, and sometimes impossible to even determine. The group had learnt that the best way to deal with it was to let him stew for a while and it would soon pass as quickly as it had come. However, Mimi wanted the cheerful version of her boyfriend back NOW! Damn Tai…
" C'mon Matt, Tai's gone." She said as she managed to slow Matt to a stop.
" Gone where?" He asked suspiciously. It was a weird thing for him to say, but at least he was talking.
" Gone…" she glanced around. Where had Tai gone? " I dunno. Just gone."
" No," Matt replied, shaking his head, " he's not. That's the thing about Tai. He's never just gone is he? You think he's gone…but you're wrong!" Mimi grinned as Matt continued. " He's like one o' those freaky clown toys that strange people give to their innocent little kids. You give it a push to try and get rid of it coz it scares the hell outta ya and it just rocks right back again and smacks you in the face. And I'm speaking from experience here. He's so annoying, he's so full of himself…and he's so right behind me isn't he?"
Mimi nodded, struggling to control the laugh that threatened to burst out of her as she caught sight of the face that Tai was making over Matt's shoulder.
" What did I tell ya?" Matt muttered as he turned to face Tai. Tai fought to keep his own face straight as he put his hands on his hips and said with mock anger,
" How dare you talk about me behind my back, Ishida! "
" Funny, I thought you were behind me."
" What? " Matt rolled his eyes in annoyance.
" I'm sorry Tai, is something like wit too difficult for your poor brain to handle? "
" Are you saying I'm stupid?! " Tai asked, no longer joking.
Mimi bit her lip and prayed that they wouldn't start a fight. Not here, not now, not where there were crowds of people to see. She came to the decisive decision that the best way to prevent yet another embarrassing fight, was to distract her boyfriend from answering that question.
" Oh man, I've got history next. Ugh. I think I'm gonna cut. You wanna come Yama?" She said tugging his arm and forcing him to turn towards her. She gave him a pleading big-eyed stare and Tai was instantly forgotten. The corner of Matt's mouth twitched upwards in a tiny smile.
" Nah, this is my last music class before study leave and I wanna say goodbye to everyone. Sorry. How about after lunch? I've got statistics." Matt shuddered at the thought of the hated class. " Man, I sure won't miss that one. Whaddaya
say? "
" It's a date." Mimi smiled, and placed a lingering kiss on his lips. Another whistle, this time from someone else. Matt looked sharply at Tai, who shrugged innocently and pointed vaguely off down the corridor.
" Okay. I guess I'd better go to history then." Mimi said with a sigh. " I'll meet you in the parking lot later. I'll miss you till then…" She said, ignoring the disgusted look on Tai's face, and pulling Matt closer for another kiss. When they broke apart she turned to leave. " Bye Tai." She said with a wave.
" What, don't I get a kiss too?" Tai said, grinning wickedly as Matt scowled next to him. Mimi mimicked the disgusted look Tai had worn a moment ago.
" Eew, No! " Tai stuck his bottom lip out, looking hurt. " Oh, alright then…" She smiled and leaned towards him, kissing his cheek. Tai gasped and pretended to swoon, the back of one hand pressed to his forehead. He performed a perfect melodramatic faint into Matt's arms who caught him on instinct. Shaking her head and grinning widely, Mimi tried once again to leave for her history class.
" Ooh Matt…" She heard Tai coo seductively, and turned back quickly, when she heard a loud thump, followed immediately by an indignant " Ow! " from Tai, who was picking himself up from the floor and glaring menacingly at Matt who's fists were clenched at his sides. Sensing danger, Mimi grabbed Tai's arm, and pulled him away with her calling to Matt. " Tai's in my class, so I guess I'll walk with him. Catch ya later! " When Matt was out of sight around the corner, Mimi stopped and turned to Tai, who was rubbing his shoulder.
" I didn't know I was doing history. Oh man, I've missed two whole years worth of classes! I'm so gonna fail the exam! " He joked, smiling again and obviously not badly hurt.
" You're not doing history, and you know it. I just didn't want another fight." Mimi said looking at him pointedly. " Don't even try to joke like that with Matt. You know he just overreacts." She reprimanded. Then she smiled "C'mon, let's go find your own girlfriend, then you can stop hitting on my guy." She smiled, dragging him off down the hall again, in search of Sora. As she walked, ignoring Tai's ramblings about soccer, she couldn't help but think that her life was sweet. She had the world's most perfect boyfriend, a wonderful group of friends, and a promising future studying design at the same university as Matt. Yup. Mimi Tachikawa had it made…
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
(Three years later. If they were 18, they're now 21, and if they were thirteen, they're now 16. TK and Kari are now dating, Tai & Sora and Matt & Mimi are still dating. The six are all on vacation from school/Uni and have decided to take a trip together. To Paris, Mimi's choice.)
He flicked open the box and two perfectly synchronised gasps followed.
" Oh, Matt! It's beautiful!" Sora cried, staring at the ring.
" You think so? Oh, I really hope she likes it…"
" How could she not!? Wow, it must have cost a bomb." Kari observed.
" Well actually, it didn't. It was my great-grandma's, and my grandma's after that. She didn't have any sons, just daughters, so she left it to me. I've kept it for years. Does that matter? Coz I mean if it does, then I can get another one. I just thought…"
" Don't you dare!" Kari interrupted heatedly.
" Yeah, it's perfect, and it just makes it more romantic. Wow, that must make it an antique, huh? How old is it?" Sora asked, taking the box from Matt to get a closer look. Matt shrugged in response.
" I dunno. Like a century, I guess "
" Wow, let me see." Kari snatched the box from Sora's hand, to stare at the contents. The ring consisted of a simple gold band that split into delicate strands, twisting and flowing through each other in an intricate pattern to surround a single glittering diamond at the centre. " It's so beautiful." Kari sighed, gazing longingly at the ring.
" So, when are you gonna pop the question?" Sora asked, sitting down on the hotel room bed. " By the way, where is Mimi?" She added as an afterthought realising that Matt had been alone in the room when he had called on the two girls to 'give him their opinion'. She knew that Tai and TK were back in the room she was sharing with Tai, trying to suss the French TV channels, but she hadn't seen Mimi all morning.
" Oh, she's shopping." Matt said waving a hand distractedly. " She wanted me to come, but despite what everyone thinks, I hate shopping. I'm meeting her tonight."
" What?! You mean you're gonna ask her tonight?!" Kari cried, almost dropping the ring in excitement, as Sora leapt to her feet. Matt nodded, then jumped as both girls shrieked loudly and hugged each other.
" Oh my GOD!" Sora screamed, throwing her arms around a very bewildered Matt.
" When, where, how? We want all the details!" She continued in a marginally quieter voice.
" Well I'm meeting her at seven at this little café by that river. Er…the Seine, is that it? I dunno, I've never been to Paris before. Well anyway, we're gonna take this boat ride, down the river once it gets dark. I thought it would be really romantic to propose on deck, under the stars. I'm gonna do it properly too, down on one knee and everything. Then we're going for dinner at this ridiculously expensive restaurant with a name that I can't even pronounce, let alone translate." Both girls sighed, looking misty-eyed.
" That's so sweet…" Kari moaned.
" So, what are you going to say?" Sora asked, clasping her hands together.
" Did you get her flowers? What?"
" Well after the boat and dinner and everything, not to mention paying my contribution for this vacation, I'm like totally broke. But I did get this…" He produced a single red rose and gave it to Sora " Mimi always did love roses, and she was telling me on the plane how much she was going to miss her garden and her rose bushes."
" Aww. That is just so romantic! Hey, do you think you could have a little chat with Tai for me? Y'know, drop a few hints…" Sora said, twirling Mimi's rose thoughtfully between her fingers.
" Do you think it's hereditary?" Kari asked Sora hopefully, obviously thinking of Matt's brother.
" Even if it was, they have different fathers, so it probably wouldn't make any difference." Sora answered " So, what are you going to say then?" Sora prompted, expectantly, joining Kari who had sat down on the bed.
" Well, I dunno…" Matt said, pretending to think as he lowered himself into a conveniently positioned chair. "…how about 'will you marry me?' " He said, stating the obvious.
" That's it? " Sora asked in surprise.
" I'm sorry, what am I supposed to say? I've never had to do this before!"
" Well, I mean, before you ask the actual question. Like in all the old movies and stuff. The guy says like, 'oh I can't imagine life without you…' blah, blah. Something like that."
" No way, that's so corny. How about something poetic, like Shakespeare. 'We are such stuff as dreams are made of.', or 'Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?' " Kari suggested, trailing off dreamily.
" Nah, I already did that, years ago when we first started dating. She was in English lit. with me. It was that exact same sonnet, in fact. I don't think she was too impressed, though. Mimi always did hate Shakespeare."
" That's just coz of those horrible essays Miss. Ikumori used to make us write." Sora, who had been in the same class, contradicted.
" I'm sure I'll think of something when the moment comes. I hope. Oh God, what if she says 'no'?!" Matt blurted out suddenly. " Why can't it be a leap year?!"
" Oh come on Matt. That's so delusional. Even if it was a leap year, do you really think Mimi would propose to you?" Kari asked sensibly.
" No." Matt admitted reluctantly, burying his face in his hands with a groan.
" Aww honey, you'll be fine. No girl in their right mind would turn you down."
Sora said, getting up and dropping a comforting arm around her friend's shoulders. A muffled laugh came through Matt's fingers.
" Don't start. You're just saying that because you my friend."
" No, I'm not." Sora said seriously.
" Yeah Matt, you've got everything going for you. You're smart, romantic, funny, talented, not to mention absolutely gorgeous." Matt's head snapped up to give Kari a sceptical and somewhat suspicious look. " Right Sora?" She asked.
" Absolutely drop dead." Sora said affectionately.
" Okay…" Matt began slowly. "…correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you both have boyfriends?"
" Yeah, but that doesn't mean we can't notice your good qualities." Sora stated.
" Aww, bless! Look he's blushing!" Kari squealed suddenly, gesturing to Matt pink cheeks. This only made him blush harder and glare at her angrily.
" Seriously though Matt," Sora said giving Kari a reproachful look, " Mimi knows how lucky she is to have you. She wouldn't refuse to marry you for all money in the world."
" Really?"
" Absolutely." Sora smiled handing him the rose and taking the ring from Kari. She stared at it for a moment before giving it back to Matt. " Good luck. I know you'll be fine." She said giving him a last hug, and turning to leave, followed closely by Kari.
" Oh, Matt." Kari said turning suddenly as she remembered something. " Can we tell Tai and TK, or should we keep it a secret? " Matt could tell that the younger girl was dying to tell her brother and boyfriend, so he smiled and said,
" Sure, whatever."
" Woohoo!" she cried, punching the air and looking shockingly like Tai, as she flew out the door in pursuit of Sora.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
(That night, five to eight, outside the café)
Matt stood up as he saw the last few people in the line being ushered onto the boat. Reluctantly accepting that Mimi wasn't coming, he calmly paid for his coffee, and stepped forwards to the water's edge. He sighed as he watched the people already on the boat pointing at the sights from top deck. There's nothing more romantic than Paris at night. But if you've got nobody to share it with, then it becomes the loneliest place on Earth. His eyes fell upon an obviously homeless couple sitting on the bank, wrapped in each other's arms. Their eyes were full of longing as they stared at the boat docked before them, but they looked content just to have each other. And at that moment in time, Matt envied them more than anything.
He hesitated for a moment before walking over and crouching next to them.
(A/N: There's an English translation in bold, further down. Just in case French isn't your thing!)
" Salut." He greeted them uncertainly; his French was nothing to be proud of. Mimi was bordering on fluent, but Matt had never been any good at languages. He smiled kindly as he held out the rose to the girl, who stared at it with fearful eyes. She looked as though she wasn't much older than TK. Her boyfriend watched Matt suspiciously as he desperately tried to remember the word for 'here'. " Ici." He said finally. " Une rose. Pour toi." He said, pointing at the girl. She blinked warm brown eyes and glanced at the boy, who nodded slowly. She turned back to Matt and smiled, accepting his gift.
" Merci, monsieur. Je suis tres reconnaissant." She said quietly stroking one silky red petal. Matt turned to her companion and pointed to the boat in front of them.
" J'ai deux billets pour ce bateau, mais ma copine est en retard. Vous voulez les? " He said speaking slowly and clearly trying to help the poor man to understand his awful French. No doubt he had just asked where he could find the nearest flying panda. The man looked at him in amazement as Matt held out the two tickets.
" Pendre les." Matt coaxed. Apparently speechless, the man reached out a trembling hand and took the tickets. He stared at them for a moment, before digging in his pocket and pulling out a small handful of coins. Matt shook his head immediately.
" Non. Ne dis pas de betises. C'est un cadeux." Matt got to his feet and the French couple followed suit. " Elle est belle," he said softly to the man,
"Tenir bon aux la." The man nodded, then shook Matt's hand enthusiastically muttering repeated French words of gratitude. The woman who know had tears in her eyes hugged him and kissed both his cheeks, before seizing her boyfriend's hand and running with him to catch the boat before it left.
" Merci autant!" She called back over her shoulder, glossy black curls bouncing as she ran.
"Hi." He greeted them uncertainly; his French was nothing to be proud of. Mimi was bordering on fluent, but Matt had never been any good at languages. He smiled kindly as he held out the rose to the girl, who stared at it with fearful eyes. She looked as though she wasn't much older than TK. Her boyfriend watched Matt suspiciously as he desperately tried to remember the word for 'here'. " Here." He said finally. " A rose. For You." He said, pointing at the girl. She blinked warm brown eyes and glanced at the boy, who nodded slowly. She turned back to Matt and smiled, accepting his gift.
" Thank you, sir. I'm very grateful." She said quietly stroking one silky red petal. Matt turned to her companion and pointed to the boat in front of them.
" I have two tickets for that boat, but my girlfriend is late. Would you like them? " He said speaking slowly and clearly trying to help the poor man to understand his awful French. No doubt he had just asked where he could find the nearest flying panda. The man looked at him in amazement as Matt held out the two tickets.
" Take them." Matt coaxed. Apparently speechless, the man reached out a trembling hand and took the tickets. He stared at them for a moment, before digging in his pocket and pulling out a small handful of coins. Matt shook his head immediately.
" No. Don't be stupid. It's a present." Matt got to his feet and the French couple followed suit. " She's beautiful," he said softly to the man, " Hold on to her." The man nodded, then shook Matt's hand enthusiastically muttering repeated French words of gratitude. The woman who know had tears in her eyes hugged him and kissed both his cheeks, before seizing her boyfriend's hand and running with him to catch the boat before it left.
" Thankyou so much!" She called back over her shoulder, glossy black curls bouncing as she ran.
Matt waved good bye, and felt the smile slowly disappear from his face as he watched the boat drift slowly past. He watched it out of sight before peering down at his own reflection in the rippling water. He reached into his pocket and fingered the little black box that resided there. Why didn't she come? The only time he could remember feeling this depressed, this empty, was when TK had told him that he didn't need him anymore. It was the exact same feeling. As if a part of him had been suddenly ripped away, leaving him broken and incomplete. Is this really the woman I want to marry? His head shot up, as his own thoughts surprised him. Of course he wanted to marry Mimi! He loved her more than anything. But did she love him? Truly love him in the way that he loved her? If she did, she would be here…
He stood in silence for a moment before a sudden thought came to him. Why did he immediately think that she had stood him up? What if something had happened to her? She could be in hospital, or even dead, and he was standing around accusing her of not loving him and having second thoughts about marrying her. What had come over him? Mimi wouldn't just not turn up for no reason. Not tonight. What was he thinking?
He quickly hailed down a cab, directing the driver to take him back to the hotel, and sat wringing his hands with worry.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Ten minutes later, Matt burst through the door of his hotel room, gasping for breath. He looked around wildly, but stopped dead when he saw Mimi sitting on the bed, perfectly unharmed, surrounded by shopping bags.
" Hi babe." She greeted him cheerfully, rifling through her purchases.
" Where have you been?" He asked in confusion. Mimi giggled.
" Well…shopping, duh!" Matt felt a sudden anger bubble up inside him as Mimi held a silver necklace to her throat. " Do you like this…" she put the necklace down and held up a different one "…or this one?" She asked.
" Well I don't know. How about a ring instead?" He said coldly.
" What? I didn't buy a ring…" Matt exhaled deeply, crossed the room and stepped through the open doors onto the moonlit balcony, deliberately ignoring Mimi's confused look.
He stood and gazed numbly up at the stars until he heard Mimi talking to someone. Thinking that maybe one of their friends had stopped by, Matt walked back inside to stop whoever it was from putting their foot in it. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw that Mimi was on the phone chatting happily, completely oblivious to the world. The slow realisation came to him that his previous thoughts hadn't been quite as ridiculous as he had decided they were. In fact, they seemed to be making more sense now with every second. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the little black box, clutching it in his fist as he walked towards Mimi.
" We need to talk." Matt said calmly, interrupting Mimi's conversation.
" Hang on Phoebe," Mimi covered the mouth piece with one hand and glanced at Matt, " Matt hon, can you be quiet please. I'm on the phone," she removed her hand and continued her conversation, " So then what did he say? "
" Mimi, I'm serious. We need to talk." Matt repeated, a little louder this time.
" Sorry Pheobe. In a minute Matt! Yes, go on. So he said…" Matt pressed his finger down on the button, and watched Mimi's face change as the dial tone met her ear.
" No, now." He said as she stared at him incredulously.
" What the hell is your problem?!"
" You! Alright, you are my problem Mimi!" Matt yelled suddenly, eyes blazing.
" What?" Mimi asked in alarm, finally sensing that something was wrong. Matt took a deep breath, desperately trying to control his temper.
" I guess what I'm trying to say is…Mimi, I think we should see other people. Exclusively." He said coolly. Now it was Mimi's turn to be angry.
" What?! Are you breaking up with me?! Five years and you're breaking up with me?!"
" In a word, yes. I'm breaking up with you." Matt said not meeting her eyes, which were now filling with tears.
" Oh Matt…" She whimpered, her anger slowly draining away. " Why?" She choked out.
" I thought you loved me." He whispered, not really answering her question.
" I do."
" Well you've got a pretty fucked up way of showing it!" Matt exploded. " Do the words boat, café and seven 'o clock mean anything to you?!"
" What? Oh…was I supposed to meet you? "
" Yes!"
" Well, I'm sorry, okay? I guess I just forgot."
" No it is not okay! I've had enough Mimi! You've forgotten for the last time! Why don't you try thinking of someone other than yourself for a change?! We're through!" He threw the box across the room, spun on his heel and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him and leaving Mimi shocked and crying.
After a few moments, Mimi got slowly to her feet and stumbled out of the door and across the hall. Furiously wiping the tears from her eyes she banged on the door before her. When there was no answer, she reached up to knock again, narrowly avoiding punching a rather disgruntled-looking Tai in the face.
" You don't look so hot, Tai." Mimi commented despite her current situation.
" I'm not dealing with the jetlag too good," he explained, "and I wouldn't talk, if I were you." He eyed her tear-streaked face and puffy eyes. At this Mimi's tears started again and she collapsed into Tai's arms.
" Oh Tai!" she wailed.
" What, what is it?!" Tai asked, alarmed by the outburst.
" It's so terrible…" she cried, burying her face in Tai's shoulder as he ushered her inside and sat her down.
" Is this about you and Matt?" Tai asked gently, hugging his friend to him. Mimi nodded tearfully, without looking up. " You're not pregnant or anything, are you?" Tai asked suddenly, and Mimi looked up in shock.
" God no! What made you think that? Am I getting fat?!" She was on her feet in a second and examining herself in the mirror.
" No, no. It's just coz you seem pretty emotional, and I heard that girls get pretty emotional when they're pregnant so…I'm sorry." Tai finished uncertainly.
" Oh, it's not you're fault. It's just that…oh Tai! Matt's gone!"
" He's what?"
" Gone! He's gone! He left me…" She trailed off, fresh tears flowing from her eyes.
" He broke up with you?" Mimi nodded in response. " He broke up with you after five years?!" She nodded again.
" It's all my fault. I…I…well I dunno what I did, but I must have done something…I…I…oh, I'm such an idiot!"
" No, Mimi don't say that! This isn't your fault. That jerk doesn't deserve you." He moved to stand in front of her and took hold of her upper arms. " Look at me Mimi, he's a jerk and he doesn't deserve you. You got that? What is he?"
" A jerk?" Mimi said quietly.
" Yeah! That's it! What is he?"
" A jerk!"
" Hell yeah! He doesn't deserve you, you're better off without him!"
" That's right! I am, aren't I? Fuck him!"
" Yeah, fuck him!"
" Fuck him!"
" FUCK HIM!"
" What the hell is going on?!" The two turned sharply to face the newcomer.
Sora stood there wearing a bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her wet hair.
" Matt dumped Mimi!" Tai yelled, still hyped up by his previous outbursts.
" He WHAT?! Why in god's name would he do that?!" Sora cried in alarm.
" Because he's a JERK!" Mimi screeched once again.
" Didn't he ask you? You didn't turn him down did you?" Sora accused.
" What are you talking about?" Mimi asked, calming down slightly.
" The boat?"
" Oh, this again. Yeah, I was supposed to meet him, but I got distracted and forgot. Then he's all like…"
" What!? You stood him up?!" Sora interrupted loudly.
" So? He doesn't deserve me!" Mimi argued looking to Tai for support, who blinked, realisation dawning on his sleep-deprived brain. " Oh no, not tonight..." he muttered slowly.
" Or visa-versa." Sora said quietly, ignoring Tai and speaking in reference to Mimi's last statement.
" But he just overreacted!"
" NO, he didn't!" Mimi blinked, surprised by the heat in Sora's voice " I know that you've stood him up at least three other times this year. How many times has he stood you up, huh Mimi?"
" Well none, but…"
" Mimi, what did Matt get you for your birthday this year?" Mimi reached under her shirt and pulled out a dainty golden cross on a fine chain.
" This…"
" And can you tell me when Matt's birthday is? Just the month will do."
" Er…September?"
" It was in May."
" Hang on, are you telling me that you've been dating him for five years, and you don't even know when his birthday is?!" Tai cut in in shock.
" Well I…"
" And correct me if I'm wrong, Mimi," Sora continued, " but didn't you sleep with someone else a couple of years ago?"
" Aha!" Mimi cried triumphantly. " That was revenge! He slept with that red head from his music class!"
" What?! I didn't know he did that!" Tai cried with interest.
" That's because he didn't." Sora said calmly. " That was just a rumour. Do you mean to say Mimi, that you believed that? You slept with that guy because of a rumour?"
" How was I supposed to know it was a rumour?" Mimi said, looking away.
" Huh? You actually did that? Man, I'd have dumped you years ago!"
" Tai, I'm the victim here, remember?!"
" How Mimi? How are you the victim?" Sora asked.
" I…well…he threw a box at me!"
" He threw a what?"
" I don't know! It was this little black square thing."
" Oh Mimi…" Sora said sadly, shaking her head. " Where? Where is it?" When Mimi made no move to answer, Sora grabbed her wrist and led her to her room.
" Come on. Give me your key." Sora ordered, and she unlocked the door as Mimi obeyed. Sora dashed across the room and retrieved the box from the floor.
" He spent ages making sure that everything about tonight was absolutely perfect. He was so nervous you'd turn him down…" Sora said softly, smiling slightly at the thought.
" What are you talking about now?" Mimi asked. Sora wordlessly opened the box and turned it around so that a speechless Mimi could see the ring.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Matt quietly opened the door to the hotel room and was surprised to find the room dark and quiet. After a long walk through the moonlit streets, he had calmed down considerably and was even starting to have regrets despite himself. Not regrets about the break-up, no Mimi sure had it coming. But regrets about losing his temper like that. Yelling that stuff…whatever it was he had said. He couldn't remember, but he was sure that it hadn't been good. No, he knew that it hadn't been good. He made her cry. He did feel kinda bad about making her cry like that. And throwing the ring box. He hadn't even stopped to see whether it had hit her or not.
Well he came back to the room after walking for hours, with the vague idea of asking TK if he could sleep on the floor of the room he was sharing with Tai's sister. That way, he could keep an eye on those two at the same time. His brother, who actually preferred to be called Takeru now, may have been sweet and innocent once, but Matt wasn't sure if the sixteen-year-old version was quite the same.
But if Mimi wasn't here…she must have gone to Sora's. The open balcony door caught his eye. She wouldn't do anything stupid. Would she? Nah, not over him. She didn't care about him. It was the yelling that had made her cry, not the fact that he was leaving. Still…better make sure.
He stepped over to the phone and sat down on the bed, reaching to turn on a lamp with one hand as he snatched up the receiver with the other. It rang five times before he got an answer.
" Yeah, what?" A very groggy voice greeted him.
" Hey Tai, it's Matt. Is Mimi over there?"
" Er…no…I don't think…isn't she there?" Tai mumbled and Matt could hear Sora's sleepy voice in the background. " No, go back to sleep, it's only Matt." Tai said, not bothering to cover the mouthpiece. There was a muffled gasp, some strange scuffling noises and then…
" Matt?" Sora's voice queried.
" Yeah it's me. Do you know where Mimi is?"
" Isn't she there?" Sora said, quoting Tai without realising it.
" No. I just got back and the room was all dark and…"
" Well you have to find her!"
" Why? I don't care what happened to her." Matt said in a sulky voice.
" Then why are you calling us?"
" I…" He couldn't think of a suitable response for that.
" Listen Matt, she was really upset when I saw her last. And I mean really upset. As in distraught. She might do…well something, y'know."
" Why would she do that?" Matt said with unease, realising that Sora's thoughts had been the same as his own.
" She understands, Matt! About what she's done. She was crying her heart out, and she kept saying how useless she was, and how she couldn't believe that you hadn't broken up with her years ago. Dammit, I knew I shouldn't have left her alone…Matt?" Sora stopped, as she suddenly realised that her friend had stopped listening.
" What? Yeah, I um, I gotta go. Thanks for the help Sora." He said quickly, and hung up before Sora could say another word. Something on the nightstand had caught his eye. It was the familiar little black box, sitting on top of a folded piece of paper. Matt lifted the box and unfolded the paper, which had the hotel's logo in the top right-hand corner. It was Mimi handwriting, and it read simply
' I don't deserve either these or you. I'm sorry.' Matt held the paper for a moment, re-reading it to let the words sink in. Suddenly desperate for fresh air, he jumped to his feet and hurried onto the balcony. Breathing deeply, he looked up at the dark, starry blanket above. Only good pictures flooded his mind. Mimi laughing. The way her gold-flecked eyes seemed to dance, and the way a tiny dimple would appear in one cheek whenever she laughed. Which was often. She was always so bright and cheerful. Mimi crying. The way her tears always seemed so real. Coming straight from the heart. She would always cry into his shoulder whenever they went to see one of the sad movies that she loved so much. Matt loved those kind of movies too. Not for the content, but for the fact that it gave him the chance to comfort Mimi. It always made him feel so needed. Mimi always made him feel good like that. But she doesn't love you! His brain harshly reminded him. But if she doesn't, then why was she so upset? Why did she leave? He argued with himself. He walked slowly back inside, still trying to answer the questions flying around his mind. Why did he feel like this? Wasn't it supposed to be over? Why did he still care despite how badly she had treated him? Had she really treated him that badly? Everyone forgets stuff once in a while, right?
He broke from his thoughts to find that he was clutching the ring box and standing at the door to the room. He sighed and slowly lifted the lid. There, glittering away, oblivious to his emotional traumas, was the ring. But balanced precariously next to it, with the chain trailed clumsily over the padded black velvet, was the Crest of Sincerity.
" Oh Mimi…" He sadly whispered aloud.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mimi Tachikawa's perfect life had just been destroyed. And would never be perfect again. Because Matt was what had made it perfect. And so now, her life wasn't even worth living. She sat on the cold iron railing with her head in her hands, crying silently. Was it possible that she had really become that selfish? That shallow? How did it happen? How had she changed from the sweet and popular bearer of the crest of sincerity to the superficial bitch that she was now? It must have been because of all the traumas of the Digiworld. They had obviously affected her more than she thought. Life is so unfair! I can't believe that my life has been completely ruined just because I went to the wrong camp. Because I had a special destiny. God, I hate that word. Destiny. It's the cause of all my problems. I always thought Matt and I were destined to be together, but I guess not. I guess Destiny changed it's mind on that one.
She slid slowly off the rail and onto her feet, turned around and leaned her elbows on the edge of the bridge. She sighed deeply as she stared at the wobbly reflections of the lights in the churning water below. No, Mimi. This is no-one's fault but your own. You can't blame destiny. You make your own destiny. None of the others turned out like this, and they all went through the same things you did. No. It's nothing to do with destiny. Just you.
These thoughts brought on a fresh wave of tears. Suddenly filled with an indescribable rage, she reached to her throat, seized the gold cross and pulled sharply, snapping the delicate chain. With a sob of anguish she flung it off the bridge and watched as the dark water swallowed it. Her breathing gradually slowed and as it did, she realised what she had just done. She reached to her neck and there was no familiar gold chain to twist between her fingers for comfort. What would Palmon think if she could see me now? She missed her companion more than she could tell, but if Palmon knew what she had become, she very much doubted that the Digimon would miss her at all. Her eyes flicked suddenly back to the deep dark water. How could anyone miss someone like her? So nobody would…
* * * * * * * * * * *
Matt stamped his foot in anger, cursing under his breath. He was never gonna find her. It was past midnight and a light rain had begun to fall. The clouds overhead rumbled with electric thunder, a storm threatening. If anything happens to her then it will be all my fault…
He glanced up as he came to the deserted bridge. Maybe because he had lost interest in his shoes, but he just got the feeling that he should. His eyes were drawn immediately to the lone figure perched on the railing, legs dangling over the edge. A figure he would recognise anywhere. His relief at finding her was short-lived. He froze as he realised what she was doing.
As if on cue, the heavens opened, and through the pounding rain, he saw Mimi's body tense. He broke into a sudden desperate run, his mind a blur of indistinguishable thoughts.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Mimi's tears of self-loathing dissolved into the raindrops that ran over her cheeks. It would be better for everyone this way. No-one would care. People might pretend to care, but no-one truly would. The rain plummeted down around her and the river roared and gushed in anticipation, but it was as if someone had suddenly turned down the volume. Not all the way, but enough to make every noise seem distant and insignificant. Mimi felt as though she was in a bubble. She couldn't feel or sense anything except dull numbness. In her mind, she was already dead.
She took a last deep breath and gripped the slippery rail tightly, her knuckles turning white. Squeezing her eyes shut, she pushed off with all her strength. Her body seemed to be suspended in mid air for a fraction of a second before, she felt a blast of cold air hit her face as she began to fall. Her senses suddenly came back in stereo, and she was overwhelmed with a sudden thrill of emotion. Fear… excitement…sorrow… then suddenly her whole body jerked to a stop. Her eyelashes flew apart as her head jerked up and she met a pair of frantic blue eyes.
It took her a moment to come back to reality. She blinked the rain out of her eyes as she suddenly realised that her wet, slippery hand was gripped in Matt's.
" What are you doing?!" She screamed at him over the howling wind, shocked by her own anger.
" Saving you! What in God's name were you trying to do?!" He cried back with equal heat.
(A/N: I have no idea how that zigzag thing got there, but it won't go away. Just ignore it, okay?)
" What does it look like!? Let go of me!" She tried to pull her hand free without much success.
" Stop it!" Matt ordered " You're gonna make me drop you!"
" That's the idea!" She said, giggling insanely as she felt her hand slip slightly. Matt cried out in desperation.
" Mimi, please, don't do this!"
" Why?!" She screamed. " What do I have to live for?! Nothing! Nothing and no-one! Everyone will be happier this way…"
" No, that's not true! What about your family, all your friends? Me?"
" It's all of those people I'm thinking of!" Her hand slipped further.
" If you truly care about them, you wouldn't put them through all the pain. Mimi, I love you! I don't care if you forgot to meet me. Something trivial like that doesn't mean anything. I'm so sorry…"
" Shut up!" Mimi shrieked, interrupting him. " Stop saying that! I don't deserve you! The only thing I deserve is death! Let go!" She jerked her hand back suddenly, but instead of pulling free, she caused Matt to slip forward. He gasped and grabbed for the railing with his free hand.
" You keep that up and you're gonna pull me over there too! Now let me help you, coz I'm not letting go! If you go down, then you're taking me with you. Is that what you want?" The truth was, that Matt could feel Mimi's hand slipping slowly but surely through his and he knew that he couldn't hold on to her much longer. He had a firm grip on the railing now, so there was very little chance of him falling. But if Mimi didn't start co-operating soon, then he was going to lose her.
" No! Of course not! Oh please let me go…" She whimpered, trailing off into sobs. He was clinging to her fingertips now. It looked hopeless, when a sudden idea hit him. What if she thought he was bluffing? No! It had to work, it had to! And how could she think it was a bluff when it was the truth?
" Oh Mimi…this isn't exactly how I planned it, but…will you marry me?" Her head jerked up again, her wild brown eyes wide with surprise.
" What?" She said in a whisper barely audible over the storm that raged around them.
" I love you Mimi. Marry me. Please." Matt gritted his teeth. He couldn't hold on any more…
His eyes were full of such emotion, and his words full of so much sincerity, that Mimi realised suddenly what a terrible mistake she had been about to make. Here was her perfect life, staring her in the face, and she was trying to fight it off. Destiny was offering her a second chance. Who was she to refuse?
Matt saw Mimi's head move in a unmistakable nod, but by that time, it was too late. In slow motion, he saw Mimi's eyes widen in fear as her fingers slipped from his grasp. He somehow heard her startled gasp as she fell backwards, over his own anguished cry.
" Mimi, NO!"
The splash as she hit the water was drowned out by a crash of thunder from above. Matt's eyes scanned the river which was lit by a sudden flash of lightning, but all he could see was black, churning water.
A/N: Sorry, I changed the CD half way through. So much for the happy ending. Well Should Mimi die? I dunno what I want to do yet. *reads back over writing* God, this is soooo corny! Unless anyone objects for some reason, I think I'll just stop here. Quit while I'm ahead, you know. Oh well…I never even got to explain the title!