CHAPTER 3: Words That Fail

It's already Thursday, and to Mimi it just meant that the week was flying by so fast, but that at least tomorrow she gets to hang out with all her friends. She was about to leave the school later than usual since she had to finalize the list of those who passed the auditions to the dance club. She just didn't know how late it was until she came out of the building.

It's been a weird week of sorts, for Mimi that is. She noticed that Taichi has been appearing around her more often, and their not even classmates.

There was this one time during break on Tuesday when he and Yamato went to her and Koushiro's classroom. Yamato went on to discuss with Koushiro some promotional material for his band's gig while Taichi went and sat beside her. He seems to want to talk to her about something but students kept approaching Mimi, asking her about auditions. On the same day after school he went to visit Mimi in the drama club's clubroom but Daisuke dragged him away to practice.

Then there was this other time on Wednesday when it seemed like he was waiting for her outside her classroom, but then the teacher called Mimi regarding some forms he needed signing so she went to the faculty room.

She wasn't a fan of walking home alone late in the day. Mimi always feared that she was going to get attacked or something. Lucky for her, she caught Taichi about to get in his car, seemingly from soccer practice.

"Tai!" she yelled. Taichi stopped what he was doing and turned to look at the brunette running toward him. "Mind if I catch a ride with you?"

"Anything for you, Meems," he flashed his boyish smile. She always loved his smile. "Hop on."

The first part of the car ride they spent talking about what Mimi did for vacation. Her father took her with him to his business trips abroad during vacation. Keisuke Tachikawa went to meetings and conferences while Mimi went sight-seeing and shopping.

"Sounds like the ultimate vacation!"

Mimi shrugged. "I guess, if you count spending the rest of the day in the grand suite with room service as fun."

"Oh right. I guess it can be lonely too, you're older brother didn't come with?"

"Nah, he'd much rather stay in the dorms in college and hang out with his buddies," said Mimi. "But it was okay, I met someone and he took me around and that was a lot of fun."

Taichi tightened his grip on the steering wheel, "who?"

"Oh, this Japanese guy studying in a university there. I bumped into him this one time because I got lost around the city. He helped me figure out my way back and he said he was free that week so he could tour me so I took him up on his offer!" she smiled as she told her story.

"Sounds like fun," he said through gritted teeth. Is he her boyfriend or something? Should I ask? What if I'm too obvious?

There was silence for a while, and when Taichi took a look at his passenger, she was staring out the window. He wondered how she becomes more beautiful the longer he looks at her. Her beautiful auburn hair frames her face well. Her pale skin complements her angelic features. He never quite noticed just how long her lashes are without any mascara. Her eyes… There's just something about them he can't explain.

"You alright over there?" he asked.

"Hey, Tai," she said, not really answering his question, "do you ever think there are some mothers won't be able to recognize their children?"

"What?" he wondered at this sudden question, but she didn't repeat. "Well, I guess if they haven't seen each other in a long time. Like a very long time."

"Hmm, you're probably right."

"But I still think that somehow mothers they have this intuition thing when it comes to their children," Taichi said. "Like my mom always knows when I'm lying. Which is not good for me."

Mimi chuckled.

"But seriously they have that connection to their children science can never explain. Why do you ask?"

He looked at her with worry, she looked at him with a smile, "Nothing, a thought that just popped in my mind."

"Right," he said, turning his gaze back to the road. She knew he could tell she wasn't being completely honest.

"Anyway, is there anything you want to tell me?" she asked, steering the conversation elsewhere, "You seem like you've been wanting to talk to me all week."

"Ah…" he trailed. "Nothing in particular. I just… you know, want to spend more time with you!"

He sounded nervous.

"Well, you see, you know… Um, well, you've been gone all spring break long and it's our last year in high school, so I… I thought we'd make up for lost time!" A sweat dropped.

"Oh!" Mimi smiled. "Right, I guess we do have to make up for lost time. Especially since we barely talked freshman year."

Taichi laughed nervously, unable to look at her.

She placed her hand on his arm which made him turn to look at her. "I'm glad we're in a good place now, you and I, after all the drama that happened to us. I'm so thankful we got past it all and now we're friends again. I'm glad to have my friend, Taichi, back."

He pulled to a stop as they arrived at their destination.

"I'm glad to have you back, too, Meems. It's just…" Mimi raised an eyebrow signaling him to go on.

He hesitated. "Nothing, it's nothing. I'm also glad to have my friend back."

When she left the car and out of sight, Taichi banged his head on the steering wheel.

"Fucking. Stupid. Idiot. You. Ar—"

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNKKKKK!

"Shit!" his head hit the car horn.

"You're going to Taichi's again tonight?" Sora asked incredulously. She and Yamato were sitting on a bench behind the studio where Yamato's band rehearses. "You've been there last night as well!"

"What's wrong with that? My dad's not home, he's offering me food, and he has something he wants to talk about." Yamato spread his arms on the bench.

A technician walks back inside through the back door, the music being played inside immediately disappearing once the door closed.

"But you're always there!" Sora stood up and faced Yamato placing her hands on her hips for emphasis. "If you want free food, I can cook you some meal. You're always spending time with them lately."

"I'm always with you during the day, I don't see why you're so mad."

"But every time we're together during the day, we're either always with the gang or you're always quiet."

"I'm always quiet, Sor! What's new?"

"Precisely! Nothing's new," she said exasperatingly. "We've ran out of new things to say to each other. We barely even talk anymore, can't you see?"

"So we became comfortable with each other, what's wrong with that?" Yamato didn't get it. Why do girls always look for something to nitpick about the relationship when things are going good? If it's not broken, why fix it, right? They've been together for 3 years, having some sense of comfort with each other is no surprise! "Why? Do things always have to be new between us? If you keep looking for something new, we're never gonna last!"

"Ugh! But would it kill you to do something new with me once in a while?" she can barely remember the last time he surprised her.

"Sor, this conversation is getting tiring, can we please stop now? I have to get back to rehearsals," Yamato stood up and took Sora's hand.

Sora swatted his hand away. "Fine. Go back to your freakin' rehearsals." Sora started walking away.

"Damn it, Sora," Yamato grunted in annoyance. Yamato wondered why she was suddenly so hard to deal with. Was she on her period or something? No, it isn't for another week. Shit. What would she be like then?

At Yamato's place gathered his friends to enjoy Friday night with each other's company. Yamato was busying himself with preparing the living room, taking out the breakables, placing some paper plates, plastic spoons, forks and cups, placing the food that was already there on the center table, and the such.

Takeru was helping him set up as well. Normally, Sora would be the one assisting Yamato, and in the process looking like the lady of the house, but this time she was by the bar in the kitchen chatting with Hikari, Taichi noticed.

The only ones they were still waiting for were Mimi and Koushiro.

After Yamato was finished setting up the entertainment system in the living room, he went to Taichi who was sulking in his bedroom.

"Why are you sulking? Shouldn't you be practicing in the mirror?"

Taichi, who was half sitting, half lying down groaned, "Shut up."

"So you're really going to ask her out tonight?"

Taichi had his right forearm over his eyes. "I can't let her go on thinking I just want to be friends."

"Then you should have told her that 2 years ago, you know, when she confessed to you."

"Ugh. Why are you being so mean to me?" Taichi got up and shot his best friend a glare.

Taichi studied his friend who didn't respond.

"Aha," Taichi said pointing a finger at Yamato. "You fought with Sora!"

"Tch." Yamato looked away.

"So you're no help while you're in a lover's quarrel."

"I'm telling you, man, just don't get a girlfriend," Yamato said, this time the one lying down.

"You never think straight when you guys fight," said Taichi, looking at his friend. "We all know you patch things up real quick anyway, no worries."

Yamato groaned. "Yeah… But it's getting, I don't know… tiring."

"You say that now, but once Sora comes to you with her pouting face you come running right back."

"Shut up. Do you even know how you're going to ask Mimi out yet?" Yamato changed the topic on purpose knowing that the mention of her name with tie some knots in his friend's stomach.

"Ugh."

The scene was pitiful, two of Odaiba High School's most eligible bachelors are sulking in a bed together, depressing over their love lives (or in Taichi's case, the lack thereof).

The boys got up when they heard the doorbell, Sora was already on it and Koushiro had arrived.

"What's with your sour face?" Koushiro asked Taichi, who upon seeing the former, frowned.

"I thought you were Mimi."

"Sorry that my presence is disappointing you."

Then the doorbell rang again.

"Why don't you go get that, Tai?" said Yamato smugly. "I know you've been waiting for her to arrive."

The people in the room gave Taichi a weird look.

Taichi laughed nervously, carefully avoiding the other's stares and then glaring at Yamato, "Yes! The food has arrived."

Taichi went towards the door and opened it. And just as he had expected, it revealed the honey-eyed beauty he was waiting for all night. She was wearing a white sweater and pink shorts, and sporting grey sneakers. She was smiling her million-dollar smile, a smile that he always loved to see and managed to put all his troubles away.

He normally would be at the receiving end of this smile. However, tonight was not the case. Her smile was directed to someone else with whom she was merrily conversing. Taichi followed her eyes to the person standing right beside her, holding the food she prepared for them. The guy was just as tall as he was (maybe a little more), his built was a little bigger, and he had shaggy corn-colored hair and green eyes.

Who the fuck?