This story was begging me to write it. Unfortunately, because I was going through my last semester of school, I had to prioritize.

One thing about the tone of this fic: I meant it to be a touching moment between two friends. I wanted to create a peaceful setting that would allow them to become unburdened by daily events, memories, troubles, etc. And in that peaceful moment, I want to make them discover each other. Little by little.

Song: You Are Everywhere-Big Baby Driver

Two weeks passed by until their second encounter.

Odaiba had been experiencing an unusually rainy week, but that afternoon the sun had chosen to shyly show itself. For Sora, it had been a blessing, for it meant that the tennis court had finally dried and practice could resume.

Tomorrow would be the day that marked her first true tennis match in her career. Despite the fact that she started the sport barely a year ago, her natural affinity for physical activities had ensured that she was a fast learner. As a result, that summer she had been promoted to the senior tennis team, meaning could participate in inter-school tennis matches, something that as a junior tennis team member, she had not been able to do.

But the rain had spoiled any chance of practice for the last few days, and instead of feeling confident and ready for the upcoming match, she felt unprepared and extremely out of practice.

That was the reason she found herself walking home much later than usual. After regular practice, she took advantage of the empty tennis court to practice her serves and backhand. She worked until she felt sure that her backhand felt smooth and she could serve with accuracy. She felt tired, but also more physically ready for tomorrow's match.

Mentally, however, she felt unfocused. Nervous. The thought of going home to deal with her anxious thoughts about the next day did not excite her.

Her pace slowed as she reluctantly turned to go into her apartment building. Just as she prepared to go into the double doors of the building, an idea popped into her head. Gazing across the street to the playground entrance left her with the urge to see if certain blonde digidestined was to be found there.

With this new purpose to in mind, Sora turned around and headed towards the group of trees that marked the entrance of the playground.

Upon passing the grove, she felt disappointment course through her upon seeing the empty bench that she and Yamato had shared.

It seemed that they would not coincide that night.

With shoulders slumping, she came to a full stop. Her hope of receiving some welcomed distraction had disappeared. And not only that. Since she had resolved to become a form of companionship to her friend, she had not been able to carry out her plan, which left her feeling unresolved.

Releasing a defeated sigh, she turned to leave, but before she was able to take the first step, she caught movement from the corner of her eye.

Turning her head, her eyes were met with the sight of Yamato entering from the east entrance of the playground. He walked in his usual manner: hands in his pocket and head slightly bowed, gaze resting on the ground in front of him.

Her heart suddenly gave a lurch of happiness.

He had been thinking of his bands latest rehearsal recording as he walked the familiar entryway to the playground.

Their next gig was less than a week away, but he could finally say that they had achieved good synchronization of their instruments. That achievement left him feeling satisfied, for it was the most difficult piece they had ever worked on.

It was a piece Yamato had written inspired by his journey in the Digital World. Although he did not yet have much experience composing, he had worked harder on this one to create a more varied sound. Now that they had succeeded in bringing the sounds together, all they had to focus on was perfecting the quality of their playing.

In short, the song should be ready for its debut next Wednesday.

Heading towards the bench, a shift in the wind made him lift his gaze from the pathway. Looking up, he felt a jolt upon finding the red headed digidestined of Love standing some distance from him. Without being aware, his feet came to a complete stop and all thought disappeared from his mind.

They stood watching one another, the wind blowing between them, as if caught in the serendipitous atmosphere around them. The surprise in their expression mirrored in one another. Gradually, the moment passed and time resumed its race, allowing them to respond to one another's presence.

"Yamato" She greeted, one hand waving lightly in the air.

He gave her a small smile, the look of surprise disappearing from his face.

With the shock of their impromptu meeting fading away, he now realized that she was wearing her tennis uniform, meaning that she must be coming from practice.

"Long day?" He asked her, gesturing with his head towards her clothes, recalling that she had asked him those exact words when they last met there.

"You could say that." At those words, both teenagers shared a smile, both realizing that their dialogues had completely flipped.

With the twilight rapidly fading around them, Yamato and Sora took a seat at the bench near the set of see saws. For both, it was truly the first time in two weeks that they properly interacted with one another. Although they normally shared lunches with Taichi from time to time, the past weeks had been busy for the both of them.

"Practice went long?" He asked her curiously.

Gripping her racket case in her lap, Sora nodded in response.

"At least for me it did."

His eyebrow arched in wonder. Why only for her?

She noticed his expression, and elaborated.

"I have a match coming up, but the rain has spoiled afternoon practice. I took some extra time to work on my serves." Her gaze was on the racket, which she gripped tightly.

Yamato did not find it necessary to ask her if she was feeling nervous. The white-knuckled grip by which she held her racket betrayed her feelings, despite the calm tone of her voice.

"When?" He asked her, watching as she finally released her grasp.

She released a loud sight. A sigh of resignation.

"It's tomorrow afternoon." She told him, the last vestiges of twilight fading completely around them. In a moonless night, only the light posts were able to illuminate the features of the park.

A moment of silence settled between them. Sora welcomed it, feeling at last that some of her nerves were diminishing. Suddenly, her companion broke the silence with his voice.

"Congratulations"

Incredulous, Sora turned her head to look at the blonde sitting next to her. Why was he congratulating her?

Seeing her confused expression, Yamato turned to look at her, her confused ruby eyes colliding with his calm blue one. "You have only been playing for a year," He started, still holding her gaze with his. "And now you are good enough to play matches. It seems to me that you are talented at playing, and that you enjoy the game."

Because he was watching her, he was able to see as realization wormed its way into her face. In his chest, the affinity he had always felt for this particular digidestined flared up. With some effort, he fought to dull it, as was his habit, and tore his gaze from hers.

Sora could not help but smile. Though cryptic in its delivery, sora was able to understand Yamato's message. He was reminding her to simply have fun and enjoy the game.

With his words, the last of her nervousness melted away and her body relaxed onto the backrest of the bench. Feeling suddenly playful, she leaned slightly towards him and dedicated him a smile.

"Message received!" She proclaimed. In her playful mood, she switched from her native Japanese to English.

Upon hearing her cheerful assertion, Yamato turned to her. He could not help but return the smile that she was giving him, becoming affected by her playfulness.

"Good" He returned, using the same English, though his tone was much softer than hers.

Looking at him from the side, she admired the way the light from the lamp posts traced the contours of his profile.

It was a masculine profile.

In that moment, Sora could see how time was slowly shaping her friend into the man he will someday be. His face no longer held so much of the boyish features that were familiar to her since the Digital World.

Was it the same with hers? Was she changing as much as the people around her?

Was time running away with them?

Because he was watching her, Yamato was able to perceive how the cheerful smile slowly dissipated from her face, to be replaced by something akin to nostalgia. Frowning, he leaned closer, as if nearness would help him understand her sudden mood change.

A moment caught them. Sora watching him and him watching her. The cool, nocturnal breeze blowing softly about them.

His lips prepared to form the question he wanted to ask when a sudden burst of light filled the night, ripping them from their moment.

Thunder answered only a moment after.

The two exchanged a quick glance, understanding dawning that their conversation for the night was over.

In silence, the bearers of the crests of Love and Friendship gathered their respective belongings and exited the playground side by side. Due to the threat of imminent rainfall, their pace as they headed home was faster than normal, but they still conversed about events at school and assignments that were due the next day.

The first drop of rain fell just as they were arriving at the doors of Sora's apartment building. Upon reaching it, Sora turned towards Yamato, ready to give him a quick send off before the rain could fall more rapidly around them.

Glancing around her, she extended her left arm and watched as drizzles of rain fell on her palm. "If this continues, I might not have to play a match tomorrow…"

Feeling the rain begin to fall with higher potency, Yamato focused on Sora. "But if you do end up playing, remember to just enjoy it"

Sora nodded, giving him a grateful smile. "I will."

"I am sorry I won't be able to watch you play," He apologized "My band is practicing every day this week."

She could see the regret in his eyes. "Don't worry, Yamato-kun. I think having people watching my first game will make me even more nervous." She smiled shyly. "I haven't even told Taichi about it."

Yamato hated the warm thrill that flared up when she said his name. Once again, he fought to extinguish that feeling.

A drop of cold rain fell on his cheek, distracting him from his internal battle.

Watching him, Sora's protective instincts took hold. "Yamato," She began, her eyes glancing worryingly around them "It looks like the rain will only get harder."

"You better head home." She added, looking up at him.

He nodded. He had chosen not to pack his umbrella when his father told him of the predicted sunny day. Now it looked like he might have to make his way home under a torrent of rain.

Turning back towards Sora, he sent her one last smile. "See you tomorrow, Sora." He began, just as the drizzle turned into rain.

Glancing at Sora one last time, Yamato turned to go only to feel a hand wrapping around his arm. Confused, Yamato turned back to her.

She sent him an apologetic look. "Hold on"

Puzzled, Yamato observed how Sora placed her racket on the floor and begun digging around her school bag. After a moment, she pulled out a red umbrella.

With the umbrella in her hand, Sora closed the distance between them and proceeded to place said umbrella on his hand. Her hand gently grasping his for a moment. "I have a feeling you will need this." She explained.

Dazed, Yamato could only nod his gratitude, feeling how the warmth from his hand inexplicably travelled to his chest, alighting a fire that took too much effort to abate.

Once again, Sora watched as Yamato begun his walk home. In her heart, both gratitude and happiness reigned. In the end, it had been Yamato who once again brought comfort and wise advice for her troubles, but she was grateful for the opportunity of running into him.

She could only hope that she would be equally as capable of helping him when he needed it.

The rain around her gained more potency, forcing her to seek shelter inside her building. Through the glass doors, she was able to see how a bright red umbrella opened in the darkness of the night.

She smiled. Maybe in some small way she had already helped her friend.

As the rain once again fell on the city of Odaiba, people hurried home in attempts to escape it. But in the streets, a tall, blonde youth walked calmly, seemingly impervious to the rain falling around him. In his hand, a bright red umbrella kept him dry, and in his chest, a steady, growing fire kept him warm.

This is a fic of realization.

Sora realizing how she feels when she is with Yamato.
Yamato realizing what Sora means to him.

Thank you for reading! Please review if you enjoyed it! It is very uplifting to find people writing back to me.

Next time, It will be Yamato who needs Sora sweet counseling!