Days after his weekend sleepover at his brother's, Kouji lay down on his bed, staring at the ceiling of his room. He knows his brother hides something from him when he lied about what happened to him. Kouichi said he fell off the stairs in their school— a very obvious lie Kouji thought, because if that were the case and he got hurt that bad, the school would've notified their father. But there is such no notification.
Though it's unlikely of his twin, Kouji thinks Kouichi has been in a fight but just pretended to believe in Kouichi's story, not pressing any further hoping that Kouichi would eventually tell him the truth. But he never got his answer. He grabbed his phone from his night stand then dial's his brother's number.
…the number you're trying to reach is unavailable please— … Kouji press the cancel button. The voice mail again. He called yesterday and morning too but for some reason Kouichi hasn't answered back yet. This is the first time this happens but Kouji thinks Kouichi must be busy doing something's, and Kouji doesn't want to be a pestering brother. So he closes his eyes, drifting to sleep.
The next day, Kouji checked on his phone before heading to school. Still no call back or message from Kouichi, Kouji quickly puts his phone in his pocket. After a quick breakfast, he says goodbye to Ryu, then to his mom and leaves with his dad.
Kouichi feels pain from all over his sore body. His school load and work are already hard enough to balance but him constantly getting involved in fights recently is a new record. He sighs at himself thinking about that obvious lie he told his brother during the weekend. He knew Kouji is too smart to believe in that stupid story but he's glad Kouji didn't press the matter because he just won't tell the truth. Though a little help would be good since he's being ganged up a lot recently, he doesn't want Kouji in trouble or worse, returning to his home all beat up. He may despise their dad and Mrs. Minamoto but Kouichi knew they love Kouji. For Kouichi it's all the redeeming qualities those two have.
And today is no different, he expects himself to be in a fight sooner or later. He sighs again thinking what he's gotten himself into but strangely he's gotten used to it. He hears Kouji's voicemails, but that's all he does… listen. Looking out at the window, he closes his phone deciding not calling back again.
When the classes end, Kouji receives a call from Takuya telling to meet him outside an abandoned building near the outskirts of Shibuya. Kouji has heard of that abandoned building from his classmates. It is believed that a ghost live there scaring people away. Kouji thought Takuya's curiosity might have taken the best of him again. After Digiworld, Takuya has been into these kinds of things- ghost hunting or treasure hunting -which Kouji find silly but will join his friend anyway when he has time on his hands.
Kouji got on the train and mailed his parents about what time he'll be home, what he'll do and who he'll be with. Kouji recalls that the last time he joined Takuya was just a few months ago when they went to an abandoned elementary school near Takuya's middle school. It is said that there is a hidden sack of gold there but is guarded by something supernatural. Izumi was there too but in the end they found nothing but empty halls, spider webs and bugs. Izumi had been scared to death and sworn she'd never join them ever again. The memory put a smile on Kouji's face.
This time will be the same but Kouji enjoys the company of his DigiDestined friends. When he got off the train, he receives a mail from Takuya:
'Where are you?'
'I'm on my way.' Kouji replies.
'Okay cool, Tomoki is here too.'
Tomoki? Kouji smiles at the mail. He hasn't seen Tomoki in more than a year. He felt a little more excited and hurriedly went on his way.
'See you guys in a bit.'
Not close to the building but not far to see his friends talking to each other, Kouji runs to them. Tomoki waves at him with a beaming smile and an excited look on his eyes. Kouji finds himself surprised at how tall Tomoki had gotten. Well, they all grew taller but Tomoki at almost shoulder length is kind of a fresh sight. But on a not so surprising note, Takuya is well prepared sprinkling salt over their uniforms to ward off ghosts then hands them flashlights.
The three story building looks spooky enough on the outside. With the white paint wearing off, dark windows and molds all over it. Not to mention the wooden door is half open. The moment they enter the building to which the inside is darker than expected considering that the sun had not even set outside, Kouji feels his uniform slightly pulled. He looks to see Tomoki clinging to him.
"Hey, don't hide behind me," Kouji says in a whisper but annoyed tone.
"…it's dark in here," Tomoki says.
"Ha? Come on, be a man!"
"But I'm still a middle schooler!" Tomoki retorted.
"Lame, what kind of reasoning is that?"
Takuya couldn't help but laugh a little at his friends, "You kinda haven't changed a bit huh, Tomoki," he remarks earning a frown from Tomoki.
"Come on, let's go," Takuya waves his hand, signalling them to follow him. They walked around the place and the more they go deeper, the more it comes to the three that the building seems like an old house. There's a kitchen, bedrooms on the second floor and the third floor an empty space.
"Another bust huh," Takuya sighs, lighting the stairs as they descend from the third floor.
"What are we looking for anyway?" this time, Kouji sighs as Tomoki still follows behind them.
Takuya reaches the second floor corridor first, and suddenly hears a sound of a movement at the end of the corridor. Pointing his flashlight at the direction of the noise he asks, "Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Kouji asks stepping on the last stair while Tomoki is quick to cling on to his uniform and Kouji is quick to give him a 'you-shouldn't-have-come' look. But Tomoki ignores him. Takuya signals them to stay where they are, while he slowly walk along the wooden corridor. He hears the noise yet again but this time in a nearby room that's slightly opened. Takuya pushes the door open and he is met with something petit, dark round eyes and furry white hair.
Takuya can't help but scream… and so does the creature.