The New Girl in School
Morning came and that meant that Takato had to get ready for school. He made a mental note to see if he could talk to Kenta without Kazu being around. He had to tell Henry about it as well. He told Rika last night over the D-Power. Rika thought it would be a good idea to see if he could get his old friend back. Takato just had to tell Henry and see where that went.
After his morning routine, Takato made his way to school. He went on foot since he woke up early enough. Once he got there, he saw that Miss Asagi hadn't started class yet. Jeri and Henry saw him and waved him down. "Hey guys, what's going on?" Takato asked.
"We're supposed to be getting a new student here. We heard that she's from America. Palo Alto to be exact," said Henry.
"That's in California right? That's pretty cool."
"You bet it is. Her grandfather is a professor at Palo Alto University. I wonder what he teaches," said Jeri.
"You know, even I don't know what goes on in my grandfather's life," said a voice from behind Takato. They turned around and saw a blonde girl dressed in a gothic Lolita fashion. "I'm Alice McCoy. It's nice to meet you. You must be Takato Matsuki." She shook Takato's hand while he looked dumbstruck.
"Um, I don't mean to sound rude, but how did you know my name?"
Alice smiled at this. "I saw your art projects in the display case and figured out that you were among the best artists here. It must certainly be your specialty." This raised a red flag for both Jeri and Henry. Since Alice already knew a bit about Takato as far as his artistic skills are concerned, then there was a good chance that she knew the company he kept as well.
"It was nice talking to you, Alice, but we really have to get to our seats before the classroom gets crowded," Jeri said while she and Henry grabbed Takato. They pulled him to the classroom while Jeri waved at Alice. Takato just shrugged his shoulders while the Californian blinked.
They managed to get to the classroom and saw that there was no one in there yet. "Thank God we pulled you away from her, Takato. If she knew about your art skills then there's a good chance she'd know about Guilmon. We can't let that happen," Henry said.
"I know that, Henry. She even gave me the chills. Don't worry, though. We won't let her find out about Guilmon."
"Also, if I'm not mistaken, I believe she wanted to get a little cozy with you. In case you didn't notice, she didn't even bother to talk to me or Henry," Jeri said. "Aren't you and Rika dating?"
"Jeri, are you suggesting that Alice might have a crush on Takato?"
"No. By 'cozy', I mean she might try to use him for something. If she had a crush, I would've picked it up by now." After she said that, the other students entered.
"Okay, class, settle down. Today we have a new student. I want you to give her a warm welcome," said Miss Asagi.
"Hi, my name is Alice McCoy and I'm from Palo Alto, California. One of my main hobbies is art," said Alice. During that time, Kazu decided to be a jerk and fire a couple of spitballs at Takato, who had a tic mark on his head.
"Okay, class, does anyone have any questions for Alice?" Kazu raised his hand first.
"I do. Are you Matsuki's girlfriend or his pen pal?" Kazu asked. Alice frowned at him, knowing what he did to Takato.
"I'm neither, but I don't like the way you're treating him either." Takato raised his hand next, putting a smile on Alice's face.
"This one's not for Alice, but for Miss Asagi," he said, stopping Alice's smile.
"Go ahead, Takato, unless it's an excuse to get out of class."
"Can I please whoop Kazu's butt at the park later today?" This shocked everyone, even Miss Asagi.
"No, Takato, you can't." Kazu began to snicker. "You can do it this weekend, though." Everyone laughed at Kazu.
"Okay, enough time to prepare," said Henry. Takato and Jeri nodded.
Later that day, school was out, but it wasn't the weekend just yet, so Takato couldn't fight Kazu. He'd have to tell his parents as well as Rika, who decided to help at the bakery on the weekends now. On their way to the park to meet up with Rika, Takato felt a strange feeling. "Hey, guys have you ever felt like you were being followed?" he asked. The three of them caught a glimpse of Alice before she hid behind a tree.
"On the count of three, run, Takato," said Henry. They continued walking, Alice following behind them. "1…2…3!" All three of them ran for the park as fast as they could.
"Oh that Henry Wong thinks he's so clever," said Alice. Takato, Henry, and Jeri got to the shed, winded due to running from Alice.
"What's got you guys so out of breath?" Rika asked.
"New student…hates Kazu…as much as…we do…might have a…crush on…Takato," Jeri said between breaths. Jeri then passed out.
"What's this girl's name?"
"Her name is Alice McCoy. She just moved here from Palo Alto. Like Jeri said, she might be crushing on Takato, but she might be using him as well. We're not too sure, but we don't want to take any chances," answered Henry. Once Takato caught his wind, he walked up to Rika and kissed her on the lips. Rika gladly returned it.
"So this is where you hang out at after school? It sure is nice and peaceful," said Alice, who came up behind them. She looked at Jeri, who was still passed out. "Poor dear, she must've had a long run."
"What are you doing here, Alice? I don't want to be rude, but you were creeping us out. Hell, for reasons I can't figure out, you were stalking Takato," said Henry. That didn't get her to drop the innocent act. It did make Rika a bit mad though.
"I'm really sorry about that. I just wanted to get to know him better." Alice looked at Rika. "How come you weren't at school today?"
Rika had a scowl on her face. "I was. I just happen to go to a different school," she answered.
"Oh, I see. My name is…" Alice began to say before getting interrupted.
"'Alice McCoy', I know."
"Right. You must be the 'Ice Queen' Rika Nonaka." That got Rika angry. There were tears coming from her eyes as well. Before Rika could attack her, though, Henry separated the two while Takato held his girlfriend back.
"Knock it off, you two. I want you to shake each other's hands and get off on a better foot," said Henry.
"If anything, I'm going to use my foot to kick her…" Rika began.
"Excuse me, guys, but I think Rika and I are going to go for a little walk. We'll see you later," Takato said, interrupting his girlfriend. The two of them left afterwards.
"I'm sorry. I had no idea that Rika was Takato's girlfriend. It just doesn't seem like they match up well," Alice said.
"Yeah, well it doesn't seem like it at first glance, given how Rika usually is. Those two, however, are actually like two peas in a pod," Henry said, smiling.
Takato and Rika were walking in the woods as far away from Alice, Henry, and Jeri as possible. Once they were at the lake, Rika took in a breath of fresh air. "Thanks for getting me away from her, Takato. I don't know what I'd do if I had to put up with that girl a second longer," said Rika.
"Try not to think about her. I'm supposed to be the one to ruin the moment, not you," Takato joked, getting a laugh from Rika. They were both admiring the sun's reflection off the lake. Rika then saw that Takato was thinking of something.
"I think you're ruining the moment right now. What's on your mind? Don't tell me it's that girl."
Takato took a deep breath before talking. "One of the many reasons I didn't want you to get hurt is that I'm supposed to fight that jerk Kazu this weekend. While Alice was introducing herself to the class, that bastard got on my last nerve today. Since he is such a pest and no one else would do anything about him beyond detention, I figured that I could step in and teach him a lesson." He lied back in the grass. "I guess my patience with him has finally run thin."
"Trust me, I know what that's like. You'll kick his butt. Don't worry. And even if you don't, I'll still stay with you. Takato, you have more friends than he does because you're you. Kazu's just a jerk who doesn't know when to quit. Now how about you take your own advice and don't think about him," Rika said as she straddled him. "Focus on you, me, and nothing else instead." Rika kissed him passionately, which he returned eagerly. He placed his hand on her back to hold her there while she wrapped her arms around his neck.
While this was going on, Guilmon and Renamon were watching. Naturally, Guilmon was curious. "What are they doing, Renamon? Is Rika attacking Takato?" he asked.
"Actually it's quite the opposite, Guilmon. This is one ritual that humans do to express their affections," Renamon answered. "I actually find it pretty odd that they display it through that."
Later, at the Matsuki Bakery, Takato decided that he would tell his parents about the fight. Rika came along to support him during the conversation. "Mom, Dad, I've got something to say," he said.
"What is it, Takato? Don't tell me you and Rika decided to get married already," Takehiro said, causing Takato and Rika to blush madly.
"Wh-What!? N-No! I'd love to marry her, b-but we're too young for that!"
"I was just joking, son. So what is it you wanted to talk about?"
Takato and Rika looked at each other for a second. He took a deep breath before talking. "I'm supposed to fight Kazu this weekend," he said, shocking his parents. "He got on my last nerve today, so I figured I ought to do something about it."
"Takato, you normally never do something like that. I am proud of you for standing up to him, but did you really have to challenge him to a fight?" asked Mie.
"I'm sorry, Mom, I couldn't help it. It's like I said, he finally got on my last nerve."
"Well, the phrase 'Patience of a Saint' never applied to you when it came to Kazu now did it. I normally wouldn't condone the fight, but since you already challenged him and your teacher actually permitted it, I suppose the only thing I could tell you to do is be careful, Takato. We don't want to lose our son."
Takato and Rika were naturally shocked at this, but after seeing the loving smiles that Takehiro and Mie had on their faces, they smiled back, realizing that they understood perfectly. "I'll be careful. I promise."
"And I'll make sure he stays alive," Rika said. Takato's parents nodded their heads. Rika looked outside and saw that it was raining. "Oh man, it's raining."
"That's okay, Rika. It's late anyways. You can stay over for the night if you want," said Takehiro.
"Thank you, Mr. Matsuki. It looks like I better call my mom." She took out her cell phone and dialed her house number. Rumiko answered the phone.
"Rika, where are you? It's raining buckets outside," she said.
"I know, Mom. If it's alright with you and Grandma, I'd like to stay over at Takato's house."
"Are you there right now?"
"Yes, Mom, I am."
"Could you please put Takato on?"
"It's for you," Rika said while handing the phone to Takato.
"Yes, Ms. Nonaka, what is it?"
"Takato, while Rika's there, I want you to treat her with the utmost respect, do you understand?"
"Y-Yes, Miss, loud and clear." While this was going on, Mie and Takehiro were chuckling.
"And don't try any funny business, got it?"
"Understood."
"Good. Now give the phone back to Rika."
"What is it, Mom?" Rika asked.
"It looks like I have no other choice but to let you stay over there for the night. I want you to take care, Rika, and make sure Takato doesn't do anything funny," said Rumiko, reiterating what she said to Takato.
"Don't worry, Mom. I'll be alright. I'll see you tomorrow." After saying 'goodnight' to each other, Rika pressed the 'CALL END' button. "So what are the sleeping arrangements?" she asked with a smile on his face.
"Oh that's easy. You can have my room and I'll take the couch," Takato answered.
"Sorry, Takato, but I can't exactly kick you out of your own room. I'll take the couch."
"Well how about a compromise you two," said Takehiro. "One of you can sleep on the floor and the other can have the bed?"
"That's not a bad idea, Dad. I'll take the floor," said Takato.
"Takato, are you sure? I can have the floor if you want the bed," Rika stated.
"No I'm okay with taking the floor, Rika. You have the bed."
"Okay."
Later that night, it was still raining and Rika couldn't sleep. She sat up and looked down at Takato, who was snoozing away. 'He's so peaceful,' she thought with a smile on her face. Rika got out of bed and went over to the sleeping bag that Takato was sleeping in. Luckily, it was big enough to fit both of them. "Takato, are you awake?" she asked.
"I am now. What's wrong, Rika?"
"It's embarrassing for me to say this, but I couldn't sleep. Can I get in with you?"
"Are you sure, Rika? I mean you're more than welcome, but your mom said not to try any 'funny business'."
"My mom's not here. Besides, I need someone to hold me right now and help me get to sleep."
"Okay, Rika. Climb in," Takato said. Once Rika did, she snuggled up to him and the two began to fall asleep.
Meanwhile, Alice was still wide awake at her house making a painting. The painting was of Takato by himself in how she saw him: innocent without a care in the world, and yet still facing his own demons, one of them during the weekend. "I most certainly hope Takato wins his fight against Kazu. Somebody needs to teach that bully a lesson besides a Digimon," she said to herself.
CHAPTER 9 END
Okay, so that's 9 chapters, with this one no doubt being my longest. It's as I told Naito Writer, I planned to put Alice in this. I just decided to make her Rika's competition. Also, who wouldn't want to have Takato himself fight, seriously?
