Disclaimer: Really?! You thought I did? Hehe…

Chapter Eight: The Unofficial Spending Time Together since a Long Time, Also Known As a Date but not an Official One

"No, Dr. Kido," I mocked, "of course the document is not authentic." Rolling my eyes, I continued typing up Mipmon's and Kimimon's stats. I was proud recording my kid's—Digimon's—number of attacks and its strengths. Its capabilities truly impressed me, and its intelligence was expanding at a faster rate.

I love having a smart Digimon.

Jyou beside me stared dubiously at the printed e-mail, scanning it like there was an encrypted message between the words. He pushed his glasses up his nose constantly. People always considered him the over-analyzer, if not the over-achiever, which I can't disagree with. He has re-read the e-mail for an hour and a half. My exaggeration isn't too far off.

"Koushiro, how can anyone expect me to organize a group for the Digi-Destined? I don't even have a Digimon. I was attacked by the ExTyrannomon for Pete's sake! How am I supposed to find out who these Digi-Destined are? Do you want me to spend my days posting flyers across the world?" Jyou wailed to the classroom ceiling. In addition to being an over-analyzer, he was also an over-reactor. He sat in his desk and rested his head against his arms, moaning and groaning. In that position, he couldn't see me muffling my laughter.

"Quit laughing, Izzy."

I sat on the desk beside him in the classroom that was part of a program which helps students prepare early for medical school. He was surprised to see me enter the classroom once his class was over, and he gladly agreed to talk.

"I already have a list," I said simply. Crossing my arms, I looked at Jyou out of the corner of my eye. He stopped the groaning and expected an explanation. "I was able to find out who accessed Gennai's website. There are at least forty-five active Digi-Destined." Once I considered being a computer hacker. Then I found out it wasn't as challenging as I hoped it would be.

Jyou agreed to organize the Digi-Destined, too exhausted to even ask how I got access to it. Yup, he's very reliable alright.

I don't like Mimi and Michael dating. Something inside insisted that they wouldn't and shouldn't although that was probably something like wishful thinking. Of course, Mimi was happy-go-lucky and would catch the eye of Michael, a teen movie-star who was perfect in the sight of public.

Then I considered logic. What were the chances of Michael being a Digi-Destined? How did he and Mimi meet? How did he know my name before I even introduced myself? Most importantly, what was his deal?

I could either ask Mimi or Michael. Did I mention I despise Michael?

Mimi wanted to meet me for "family time", the perfect opportunity to ask her surreptitiously about her admirer. She thought it would be good for Mipmon to spend time with us because hadn't done that since…Mipmon Digivolved. That wouldn't be a problem anymore because Mipmon has full control now.

I found them standing in front of a shop window that displayed hats of all shapes and sizes. Mimi cradled Mipmon in one arm and pointed to a pink cowboy hat that she seemed to have taken a liking to. The jolly blob cooed in delight and snuggled closer to her torso. She smiled but suddenly blinked.

She turned to me and stared. I couldn't help but offer the goofiest smile. 'What's wrong with you? It's only Mimi.'

"Hi…" I said. 'Michael would've said something cooler.' "Are you window shopping?"

"No, we were just looking around." Her eyes sparkled with something I didn't understand—it made me smile inside. "But to tell you the truth…I was thinking of getting you a hat." Mimi giggled and pressed her index finger onto the glass.

I followed her gaze and answered, "You want me to wear…a cow hat…?" It was identical to Mimi's pink cowboy hat except that it resembled cow skin. Frowning at Mimi and Mipmon with identical mischievous grins, I stated, "I'm not wearing that for my life."

Before Mimi could protest, I plucked Mipmon from her arm, placed him on my head, and led the way to whatever was ahead (while I made a mental note to eventually buy that hat).

We stopped at a little sushi bar. Even though it wasn't original, Mimi insisted we go there…probably because Michael never took her on a date there.

I fed Mipmon a California roll while Mimi and I talked and laughed. It was as though we had forgotten all about the world. She teased me, and I couldn't help but stare at her smile. At times, I could feel my face burning up, which I hid by popping another California roll into Mipmon's mouth…a few times pushing the sushi against the part where a normal nose stood out.

"His mouth isn't between the eyes, Koushiro."

Mipmon tilted his head back and let the sushi slide down his face and into his mouth. He wasn't the slightest bit annoyed at my poor feeding skills, neither was he annoyed at my being distracted.

"I'm glad you and Mipmon are getting along now," said Mimi quietly. She patted Mipmon's head sweetly and gave him a sip of water. "Koushiro, does Michael—"

My Digi-vice buzzed, and I took a quick glance at it.

Speak of the devil.

"Go ahead. Continue," I said ignoring the teen movie star's call.

"I feel like he's hiding something from me…"

The Digi-vice buzzed again…

"What does he have to hide?" Mimi asked me. Her eyes glimmered, pleading for an answer she seemed sure I would know. Did I? Well…yes, I did.

Before I could think, I blurted: "Is he really your boyfriend?"

I was ready for an immediate answer of "Yes" or "No", not the reaction she put up. At first she looked at me with a blank expression. It was very unnerving because usually Mimi would immediately squeal a reply by now. The blank expression turned into a pained one. Did it mean that it was insulting that I had to ask if he was her boyfriend?

"Koushiro…" she started.

For once I feel so stupid.

Lamely I hung my head and said, "You two are…actually going out… Sorry for asking…" I smiled at her albeit with a grin that was twitchy. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see her open her mouth about to ask why I look so pathetic. I interject, "As long as you're happy. Let's go…shopping?"

What possessed me to say that? I don't know. Perhaps I was looking to empty my wallet.

Mimi took that as her cue to grab me by the hand and drag me to whatever boutique she could find. It seemed like a once in a while tradition to go to different stores and buy whatever clothes Mimi looked good in, and in saying this, that meant I would buy pretty much whatever she got her hands on.

She kept track of whatever money she used up, not that I wanted her to pay back but… Eventually, I would have to get more money by my own means.

Snuggled in my red hair, Mipmon snoozed a little as Miss Mimi slipped into different outfits that hugged her figure (not that I was looking), and she twirled in the surrounding mirrors. Looking back at me in the reflection she winked at me and struck another pose.

She looked…

I noticed she fumbled with the zipper at her mid-back.

"Koushiro, can you un—?"

She probably didn't see me run away.

"—tangle my hair?"

Oh…I thought she would say—

What the hell am I doing?

The saleswoman at the cash register gave me a quizzical look. "Sir, are you purchasing those clothes right now?"

I nodded numbly while Mipmon nestled himself in my hair continuing to nap. The total of the purchases equaled…a lotta money. Mimi brought up the last outfit, the one she wore five minutes ago. Unfortunately, I didn't have any money left.

Conveniently, the saleswoman recognized Mimi.

"You're dating Michael Washington?"

Who just so happened to call yet again…

"Yes…miss…" Mimi said, abashed.

Suddenly the salesclerk brightened at Mimi's confirmation and brightly offered to pay for the last outfit herself. Popularity goes such a long way these days…

Mimi and I hurried out of the boutique, and she stated, "Let's not go back there any time soon…"

"Why not?" I asked, somewhat bemused about the boutique.

"Some of the girls in there were about to kill me."

Now there's something to consider if one ever dated a movie star. "I know a place we can go."

"Where is that?"

--XoX—

"Oh, I didn't know you wanted to visit your mother ship, Koushiro," Mimi teased, fondly pinching my cheek. I glared at her and put Mipmon on her head.

We entered Hacker Zone, a store for computer geeks like me. (I know I'm a computer geek. I took a test for it…not that I wanted to, but…never mind…) The store had the latest computer gadgets at the best prices. My reason coming here was not only because angry fan girls would probably tear Mimi apart but also to grab some more (than enough) cash.

In the heart of Hacker Zone there is a weekly challenge like hacking into a database, cracking a code, or my personal favorite—eliminating a virus.

This week's challenge was to create an online database that sends viruses to any unfamiliar users who attempt to access it. It was pretty easy that I stepped forward before anyone could raise their hand.

I stepped onto the little platform in front of the large screen that projected the desktop of the monitor. Not even taking the seat behind the flat screen monitor, I remained standing and completed the so-called challenging task in less than ten minutes.

The manager, a guy in his thirties who resembled an eighteen year old, reluctantly gave me the cash, noticing that I took home the money yet again. "Koushiro, at least make these things look difficult."

"But I usually do it under five minutes."

"Just go with your girlfriend and get outta' here. I don't want you spending that money on anything in here for a change. It's better to use it for her." He ruffled my hair and stomped off.

I rejoined Mimi and Mipmon, but they stared at the screen still showing my newly made database. Strangely, a hacker had already tried to access the database.

My Digi-vice buzzed. 'IMPRESSIVE, I CAN'T HACK INTO IT, KOUSHIRO.'

That's just creepy.

--XoX—

The walk home was slower and not as awkward as how the afternoon had started. I think the walk was good exercise for my biceps with the lugging of Mimi's enormous shopping bags. Mimi only carried Mipmon in her arms.

We laughed and talked about various things that made life seem so carefree. It was a happy moment which Mimi photographed—a colorful, up-close photo of our faces and the eyes and forehead of Mipmon.

"I remember meeting you, Koushiro!"

"You do?" I said taking a gulp.

"You proved to Taichi that people couldn't fly!"

For the dignity of ten-year old Taichi, I will try to not to laugh at the memory.

"Sora and I just walked onto the playground to go on the swings until we see Taichi jump off the jungle gym! And you didn't even sympathize with Tai! You just said, 'I told you so' while Yamato laughed." Mimi shook her head. "I came up to you about to scold you for letting him jump, but you replied, 'He's just fine. He won't remember it when he wakes up the next morning.'"

I wasn't that mean as a kid, was I?

Mimi tapped her chin thoughtfully. "You did insist that you tried to talk him out of it."

"I remember helping him up—"

"—tried to," Mimi interrupted, "Yamato had to help you."

"And then I introduced myself, Yamato, and Taichi."

Mimi laughed and relished the memory of what happened next. "Yamato and Taichi were immature those years…"

She paused and said pointedly, "Don't be so condescending, Koushiro. It's not like you hadn't proved that you were condescending." I gulped as she continued. "Anyways, they saw me and said, 'Ew, it's a girl!' Sora stared at them with an intimidating look and exclaimed, 'I'm a girl, so what's wrong my friend?' Yamato and Taichi fumbled in saying that Sora wasn't really a girl, and she didn't talk to them for a whole week."

Maybe she forgot the next part.

"But you said, 'Shut up, you two. This girl's really pretty.'"

I blurted, "I don't remember saying that."

The twinkle in Mimi's eyes gave another glint of mischief. "I don't either, but your mom told me later."

I attempted to hide my embarrassment as we headed to her door. She slowly opened her door, and I pushed the two huge bags inside.

"Did you have fun?"

"I always do," replied Mimi.

Startlingly Mipmon leapt out of Mimi's arms causing her to lose her balance and crash forward—a quick kiss shared.

I caught her after that, and Mipmon jumped into her apartment. A red tinge colored her cheeks which I almost didn't notice as she quickly said good-bye and slammed the door in my face.

--XoX—

My head was still up in the clouds when the American called for the third time, but I was in no mood to chastise him.

"Hello?" I said into my Digi-vice.

"I've been calling you all day. Where have you been?" said the angry American. "You sound happy," he said as an afterthought.

"I'm outside with Mipmon. Do we have to meet or something?" I said smoothly.

"Yeah…" said Michael, probably noting how quickly I diverged from the previous subject, "Meet at the intersection before the bridge going to downtown."

"When?"

"Now."

Damn impatience.

Some time later, it was dusk by the time I reached the intersection. Michael was already there looking at his watch and tapping his foot. Now, not everything is instant gratification.

"Hey." I shoved my hand into my pocket.

"Hey," he said. He looked up from his watch and gave me a nod. "I'll lead the way."

Concerning Michael Washington, I never bothered to ask where we were going, what we were doing, and we should do anything. We quickly went down a few blocks and entered a warehouse close to the water. It had an eerie demeanor, something that came out of a movie…like the secret headquarters for a villain. I might have watched a bit too many Michael Washington movies that other night.

Above the wide garage door was a yellow light sparking every five seconds for more mystique. Under the pale light Michael said with a smirk, "Welcome to HQ."

"Of what?" I said raising a brow.

"The Headquarters of the League of Digi-Destined," replied Michael proudly. He pulled out one of his hands from his pockets and clicked the garage door open with a garage door opener. Halfway open he slipped inside the warehouse.

I think he's been in too many movies personally.

By the time I got inside I found the lights were on and enough equipment to start a mission control of some sort. Inside the warehouse was still quite dusty and hadn't been used in years. Michael explained that he was able to buy the place (money is practically a word for him) and got some equipment for the organization.

"I'll call Jyou to tell him about this place." I looked at the ceiling examining the lighting and the windows. Some of the lights needed to be changed, and a number of the windows were broken. "We need to fix this place up though… It might make him nervous."

"Oh yeah," Michael chuckled, "his brother wanted my autograph." A gleeful smile graced his features. "Gennai mentioned that Jyou would organize the League of Digi-Destined."

"I suppose the name works." I nodded continuing to turn and examine the ground floor including the technology. "Don't you think we have a lot more than we need?"

Michael shifted and raked his fingers through his hair with a smile, looking down. "Well…Willis, my friend in Colorado, is arriving in a week or two…" He trailed off, and I was certain there were more "friends" of his.

"And then…?"

"My friend from Australia…"

"Who else?"

"India…"

"Europe?"

"It turns out Yamato's distant cousin in France—"

"He has a cousin—a distant cousin—in France?" I took a double take. Remembering my conversation with Betamon, he said that Michael didn't have a lot of friends who were normal. I wondered if normal included other Digi-Destined, whom Betamon claimed they hadn't met often. "How'd you learn this?"

"Yamato asked where I've traveled to. And when I said France, he asked, 'Have you been to Paris?' And I replied, 'Of course!' And he said that she makes digital music. I searched her on Google since Yamato insisted, and she's pretty…"

I gave him a look.

"Cool…pretty cool… It turns out she has a Digimon. She has pics of her and the Digimon, posted all over her website. Koushiro, what's that look for?"

"It's nothing," I said dismissively.

"Okay…so why exactly did you ignore my calls?"

"I was with Mimi and Mipmon," I said simply, taking a seat at the nearest computer, ignoring Michael's stiffness. "She wanted to spend time with me and Mipmon, so we ate, had some fun, and took her home. She and I haven't spent a lot of time together." Ah, we have Wi-Fi. I accessed the internet, opened up my newest online database and found that no one save that one unknown user tried to get it.

"Why did you leave Mipmon with her?"

"Yes, he misses his mom."

"Mom?"

"Yeah," I cleared my throat and continued, "and I'm the father. Mimi, I'm sure you know, claims that we're Mipmon's…parents."

I expected him to ridicule me, not continue to wince. "But…you're supposed to have him with you at all times."

"He hasn't spent a lot of his time with his mom for obvious reasons, and how much do you spend time with Betamon? I don't see him around."

Michael is jaw-locked.

Pulling out my Digi-vice, I inserted it into the USB drive. Instantly, the monitor displayed a window, 'DOWNLOAD COMPLETE.' "Now, I can access files from my laptop and computer and vice versa."

Michael was silent for the rest of the night needless to say.

--XoX—

The next morning I found Jyou asleep on his keyboard, snoring quietly in front of the monitor showing his newly typed research. I stepped out of his room for a minute and came back in with this mini fog-horn I found in Shin's room.

Upon hearing the loud noise, Jyou leapt up, tripped over his feet, and landed on the carpet with a loud thud and a groan, too.

"Koushiro…how could you?"

"Didn't know that would happen," I said mildly.

On the way, I told him about what happened the day prior to which Jyou was surprised at a few things…vehemently interrogating me about how I ended up on a date with Mimi and how we kissed.

"I don't think that was a date…" I said pushing the buttons on the keypad to the right of the garage door. It opened to reveal Michael and Betamon having some breakfast at the far side of the ground floor.

Mimicking Michael, I bowed suavely and said, "Welcome to the HQ of the League of Digi-Destined."

--XoX—

A/N: So there's another update—three in one month. That was a kinda long update, so this is I politely asking:

Will you please reward me with a r-e-v-i-e-w? Please and thank you!