I would like to thank Evil-Chibi-Tiffy for her reviews. Oh, and based on one of her reviews, I have edited Chapter 4 and 6 slightly (Taichi says that he's starting to like Mimi, not love her). So, thank you so much! It's really greatly appreciated.
I just wrote a MICHI one-shot named Forever. Do read it, and please review it, so that I'll know whether you guys prefer my old one-shots or one-shots like Forever.
Once again, thank you!

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon. Sigh.

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"Sincerity & Courage" – Speech
Sincerity & Courage – Thoughts
Sincerity & Courage – Narration by the character

Steps to Romance – Chapter 10
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Gennai's POV

Emp. was still waiting, staring in front of him stonily faced. I decided that Emp. probably had enough, so I signaled to the violinists to stop playing.

"Gennai, Mizuki is still not back?"

"Yes. Master Yagami and Miss Takuya have not left the Tachikawa residence. Would you like the servants to cook a fresh dish for you so that you can dine first?"

"No need. I'm not hungry."

Mimi's POV

The Tachikawa family ancestors have a saying. And that is that there cannot be any leftovers. If there are any leftovers, they must be fought over. Since the enemies are Mommy and Daddy, I cannot be lenient! Mommy, Daddy, and I stood up, chopstickes ready and hovering over the last pineapple shrimp ball on the plate. So, I have to look provoking.

"Since everyone has the same thought," My dad started saying, keeping his eyes on the pineapple shrimp ball, "We'll use the old methods to solve this problem."

"Yes, there's no other choice but to use the old method to solve this problem." I replied, also keeping my eyes on the pineapple shrimp ball.

"Go!" My mom exclaimed, and we all aimed for the pineapple shrimp ball.

There were a lot of chopsticks hitting one another, but no one got the pineapple shrimp ball. After awhile, we stopped.

"This can't do. It'll be endless." I started saying. "Hey, Taichi, why don't you join us?"

Taichi's POV

I was shocked, and then I smiled. "Me?" Hmm. This will be interesting. I bet that I can get that pineapple shrimp ball.

"Yes," Mr. Tachikawa started saying, "This is our family's tradition, you wouldn't want to break it, would you?"

"Chopsticks ready." Mrs. Tachikawa said.

Mimi's POV

We were getting ready to strike. Just another second, and we would strike for that pineapple shrimp ball. Then everything seemed to happen in slow motion. We saw Taichi reach for the shrimp ball with his chopsticks, then pop it into his mouth, looking satisfied. And then I realised that he had eaten a lot for dinner. What does the guy have, a black hole for a stomach?

Then he seemed to realise that my parents put down their chopsticks slowly, shocked. He then had a cute expression on his face, as if he was saying, 'What did I do?'. He's actually not that bad, after all.

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Gennai's POV

"Emp. Master Yagami and Miss. Takuya have already left the Tachikawa residence." Emp. looked at me. "However, they have already eaten, so please dine now. I'll call the kitchen to heat up the dishes."

Emp. stood up angrily, said, "I'm not eating!", and then left the dining room.

Mimi's POV

"Okay Mommy, don't worry. They all take very good care of me." Then she said something shocking. I looked at Taichi, then to the front of the limousine. "Mommy, don't say things like that! There's no possibility between me and him! Okay… okay… I'm hanging up."

I looked at him. He looked amused. "What?"

"Your mom definitely mentioned me while you were speaking on the phone with her." I looked away, face feeling hot.

Taichi's POV

This person actually has a family that someone can be envious of. Such a naturally warm family. I closed my eyes. In this world, any amount of wealth can't even buy that. In fact, even she's… now I… What am I thinking? It's impossible between me and her. Taichi Yagami, don't think about it again.

"Hey, what are you thinking about?" I turned to look at her, shocked. Her face was inches from mine, her cinnamon orbs looking innocent, yet at the same time, knowing.

"What I was thinking about… you could hear it?"

"Through all that hair? Maybe."

"Fine. If you do, what was I thinking about?"

"You were thinking that I have a family that you could be envious of, and that after I say this, you'll be wondering how I knew, and go all 'What?'."

She went back to seat, looking slightly smug. What?

Gennai's POV

(The next day…)

I walked Emp. into the dining room. "Where's Mizuki's utenstils?"

"Err. Master Yagami and Miss Takuya left for the Tachikawa residence this morning. They'll probably not be back for lunch too."

"Again? Why does she keep going there? How many times must she go there?"

"Do you want me to go and bring her back?"

"No need. The problem doesn't lie with her."

"You're referring to…"

"Gennai. The lion and the cat are different."

"Yes."

"Do you think the noble lion should constantly contact the cat?"

"I understand."

Mr. Tachikawa's POV

I was called into Emp.'s office at the Takuya Family Company. I was feeling nervous.

I entered the spacious office, and noticed an old man, presumably Emp., sitting down on a chair, and Head Manager Gennai was standing beside him.

"This should be our first time meeting."

"Yes, Chairman. I haven't thanked you yet. Mimi said…"

"I called you here for another reason."

"Yes."

"How long have you worked for the company?"

"Fift… fifteen years."

He hit the ground with the bottom of his walking cane and said, "And your position in the company is still low (Not sure how to phrase it)."

I remained silent.

"Why?"

"Chairman, I don't really understand your question."

"Why have you been working for the company for fifteen years, and you still have a low position in the company? Is it a problem with the company's system, or is it a problem with your ablitities?"

"The company's system is perfect."

"Then the problem lies in your abilities."

"Do you feel accomplished? What kind of example do you think you set for Mizuki? Are you and your wife a couple who hope to depend on Mizuki for the rest of your lives? To not worry about food and clothes?"

"We're not like that."

"Of course you can speak like that."

"Chairman, what's your opinion of me?"

"Really? Gennai, isn't it obvious?"

"Yes, Emp. This is extremely obvious." Bootlicker.

"I'm just saying that just say what your personal opinion of me is, there's no need to beat around the bush."

"Okay. I'll tell you clearly. I believe that you simply do not have the qualifications to be Mizuki's adoptive father. Your existence will only further hinder Mizuki's future developments. "

I walked across the road, Emp.'s words ringing in my ears. I heard a loud horn, and then a bus coming towards me. Luckily, it stopped in time.

I headed home and had a chat with my wife about this. Emp. had said that I was a failure as a employee, a husband, and a father, and asked if I would rather continue to be a failure, or prove my ability in Brazil. He gave us a sum of money for it.

"I don't want Mimi to think that I'm a failure." I told my wife.

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Taichi's POV

I was sitting in the mansion's bar, looking at the wine in my glass, when Yamato sat down beside me and said, "Tai. I heard rumours that you and the little princess already went to see her parents."

"Matt, why have I been feeling like you've been hoping for something to happen between me and the little princess?"

"Have I?"

"Yes." Hikari replied.

"And it's obvious!" Takeru joined in.

"Maybe it's because I've been bored. And I want you to be happy, Tai."

"If you're that free, maybe I should call Emp. and tell him to give you the family business to manage."

"No way. You know that I only understand how to eat, drink, and be merry. I need to continue to maintain that impression in front of Emp., okay?"

"Casanova. You're still pretending?"

"I really only understand how to eat, drink, and be merry. I think Emp.'s ashamed of me. He diligently educated us, and you guys are so outstanding."

"Takeru, your brother pretending in order to avoid being the successor is a really wise move." Hikari said.

"Tai could try doing it, but it's too late for him." Yamato said, "Besides, he's using another method. He's making the little princess dislike him more and more.

"Really? Didn't big brother follow her to her parents' house?"

"Yep. So now her parents are starting to dislike him."

"Oh! I just realised! Big brother, are you doing this so that she won't marry you, and you won't have to be the successor?" I didn't reply.

"Oh, and the candidates for department manager in the company's branch in South America have been decided." Yamato said.

"Bro, when did you start getting so concerned about the company's affairs?"

"Well, one of the candidates is the little princess's adoptive father. Tachikawa Keisuke (Just realised that this is the right order for names). He doesn't look like he has the ability, but Emp. decides these things, and no one can change his decision. Like how we were sent here to be trained. No one ever asked if we wanted it or not. I still remember the first time we saw Emp., Hikari cried."

"I didn't cry!"

"The only one who responded calmly was Taichi (A/N : Crest of Courage, though he was fuming inside due to Hikari crying). He also dares to go against Emp.'s decision. I think that even at that time, Emp. had already decided who would be his successor."

"I have to go for a meeting." I said, standing up.

"Tai, don't overwork yourself." I nodded.

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Yamato's POV

"I have to go." I stood up, "I have a date."

Mimi's POV

I was wearing a flowy, purple silk nightgown. My phone vibrated, and I found it next to the alarm for security. I answered.

"Meems, it's Yolei. My dad and I just reached the airport."

"Where are you going? Are you going abroad for some fun trip or something?"

"Are you kidding me? What are you talking about? I'm sending your mom and dad off the Brazil. The plane leaves at 11 p.m. You didn't know?"

The phone suddenly went dead.

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The end!
Do you guys think that 104 chapters is a bit too much for a story? If each chapter is about this long? If it's too much, I'll try to cut down on content.
Please tell me by reviewing.
Oh, and is Yamato too out of character? I tried to make him seem like he values Taichi's friendship and yet likes to tease him.
And don't worry! Sora will be in this story, and it'll be a Sorato.
Oh, and Emp. calls Mimi 'Mizuki' behind her back.