Another oneshot for my friend Takara Ravenheart, featuring characters from her awesome story "In the Hands of Fate".
"Hey Kaito!" called out a familiar-sounding, enthusiastic voice that managed to rise above the noise of the bustling cafeteria.
The blonde-haired boy looked up from his food, his face beginning to flush slightly; Kaito hadn't seen much of his fellow DigiDestined lately due to him still being in junior high. But he remembered now that this was the year Taysuke started high school.
"We've got the same lunch section! Awesome!" he said, beaming.
"Neat," replied Kaito, trying his best to sound cool and collected. "So, how's it feel to officially be in high school?"
"A bit overwhelming, to be honest...but hey, compared to our adventures, it's a walk in the park!"
"Understatement of the century," he said, smiling a little. There seemed to be no limit to Tay's optimism; it was one of the qualities of the boy that he found most endearing.
Over their meals, the two talked about their classes, their teachers, and the like; Tay did most of the talking, unsurprisingly. Before they knew it, the bell was ringing, signaling that lunchtime was over.
"Aww," sighed Tay as the bell interrupted his conversation. "Just as I was getting to the good part. Well, see you round, Kaito!"
With a friendly wave, he got up and headed off to class. It had really been great catching up with his old friend.
And what a shame it was that a friend is all Kaito thought of him...
Well, Tay wasn't the type who let things get him down. And besides, he had algebra next, and he needed to keep his mind focused on the material.
And yet, try as he might, he just couldn't quash the nagging, impossible fantasies that resided in the back of his mind...
Kaito, meanwhile, let out a long sigh. It looked like he was going to be talking with Tay every day now, and he wondered how he was going to keep himself from slipping up and revealing his true feelings. It certainly wasn't going to be easy.
What a shame that Taysuke only thought of him as a friend...