I will always remember his smile. Every time I wake up, I see that smile. From when he was six to where he is now, sixteen. His gentle smile… but why can I see sadness?
Starless
Chapter 10
Hikari has had the strangest couple of months. She went from in love with Takeru to Daisuke. Apparently, she tried to kiss him too, Mimi spoke to her about Hikari puckering her lips to him during the camping trip when they were collecting water. Her leg healed fine, it was slightly injured, and she needed a night's rest before she was hobbling.
More importantly, she was now in love with Daisuke. She was shocked at how day and night liking two different boys are. Takeru, she was reserved and let them both gradually grow. Flirting with him when the time is right. Wanting his attention minimally and having confidence he would choose her one day.
Daisuke… well…
"Dai-kun was talking with another girl!"
This… this is how different she is with Daisuke.
"Hikari-chan calm down," Miyako walked over with a dress in her hand as she looked around the changing the room of the store, they were in. She opened one stall and walked in, "you need to give it patience… you just realized you were in love with Daisuke for eight months."
"What if he finds a girl?" Hikari said looking at different types of skirts.
"He's not Takeru-kun," Miyako peeked her head up. "He's been single. I have been making Ken-kun check on it for you."
"Thank you," Hikari smiled nervously before seeing a red skirt with a black knot. "You think he's into stocking and skirts or no stockings and skirts…?"
"It's your birthday party Hikari-chan. Wear whatever you want," Miyako said in the changing stall.
"But what is Dai-kun into…? I want to look cute for him…"
Miyako popped her head up and said, "you are Hikari Yagami. You're cute to anyone by default." And she put her head down.
"Maybe I'll have on leggings. It won't be as sexy as stockings, but it will imply curiosity."
"There you go!" Miyako cheered as she grunted to put on some clothing.
Hikari grabbed the black leggings and put it beside the red plaid patterned skirt. She stared at her knees as Miyako spoke, "you seem awfully quiet… thinking about Daisuke?" She peeked her head slightly.
Hikari smiled ever so softly, her legs shifting vertically. "It's nothing. It's just something I tend to do. I always end up thinking about him and zoning out."
Miyako blinked before putting her down. She got out of the fitting room wearing a large purple dress with a denim jacket on top. Hikari smiled, "you look pretty—."
"That doesn't matter… I know…" Miyako giggled and sat beside Hikari. She put her hand on Hikari's head. "Ask him out…"
"Ask him out…" Hikari looked over at a nodding Miyako, "but… he might say no. He asked me out—."
"We talked about this," Miyako pulled Hikari closer. "I know that he asked you out much younger and that is your biggest regret. I know he spent the better part of four years telling people he doesn't love you and you spent four years going for another. But just because you and he do not have a history does not mean it won't work out. Being in love isn't defined by one thing…"
"I know," Hikari's eyes lowered as she bit her lower lip. "But it's so frustrating that I have done absolutely nothing until the camping trip came up." She clawed at her knees, gritting her teeth. "How was I in love with someone while not noticing…?"
Miyako giggled, "I think Daisuke-kun would just be happy about how much you like him—."
"But that's not enough to me!" Hikari got up as she paced forward and back with a shocked Miyako. "It's not enough for Dai-kun to be flattered by my love for him. I want him to return the similar emotion to me because… because I dream about it and I know I won't get enough of it."
Hikari turned to Miyako who sat on the bench while blinking, "ew!"
"Not that way!" Hikari marched straight and yelled out
Miyako scratched the back of her head as she stood up and giggled, "you spent almost a year with him. You studied with him. Went on non-dates with him…"
"They weren't dates… they were just friendly meetups involving him and me in a non-romantic session…" Hikari got red, "move on…"
"You took care of him when he got sick in the camping trip and the multiple times, he got sick after. You were there waiting for him when he took exams to go to the same high school as us. I know boys tend to be oblivious in this situation, but I bet he noticed you liked him after a while. And since he did, he probably likes you too."
Hikari looked over, "h-how do you know?"
Miyako smiled, "because Daisuke-kun never hides any of his emotions. He has secrets, but not on his feelings. And he would have talked to you if he didn't like you, but I bet he does and he's nervous about it. Makes sense…"
Hikari nodded slowly before getting a big smile, "y-you're right! I mean is obvious that I like Daisuke-kun at this point. Everyone knows… except for Taichi-kun…"
"What?"
Hikari put her head down, "Taichi-kun still thinks I like Takeru-kun…"
Miyako stared before turning to the side, "maybe I should ask Ken-kun to speak to Daisuke-kun about love…" Hikari flinched, "no, I'm kidding. Daisuke-kun is not that dense. He probably is buying you flowers for your birthday party tomorrow."
Hikari touched one of Miyako's hand, "you're right…" she gave a warm sigh. "I'm being paranoid because of what happened with Takeru-kun. But I live Dai-kun now and I should have patience and faith. Wait for the right moment."
Miyako looked to the side and shrugged, "I mean… I think it's a good idea to confess to him before he gets a different—." Hikari's eyes watered, "but Daisuke-kun is patience and you can take all the time you want."
Hikari moved back and put her arms behind her, locking fingers. She twirled, "I don't plan on taking five years to confess to Daisuke… maybe just one more."
Miyako nodded, "but didn't you say you been in love with Daisuke at the same time he became a Chosen Child?"
"Miyako-chan! Not helping!"
"I believe in you and Daisuke-kun…" Miyako said shocking Hikari to the point that the Chosen Child of Light froze. "I believe you two will become a couple. No matter how long it takes… maybe Daisuke-kun doesn't have the same feelings right now, but tomorrow or even in a second… he could fall in love with you. If anyone defines love by their experience… then they are foolish. I don't care if the oldest person gives you advice he or she has experienced. I don't care if a heartbroken sobbing mess gives you advice on who and who not to go after. It matters what you experience, not them. You're you… and if you believe in destiny. Then you weren't meant with Takeru-kun."
"What if I'm not meant for Dai-kun…?"
"Then that cliché quote comes to play… sometimes the future we get is the one we avoid…"
"Wasn't that said differently?"
"Probably," Miyako shrugged with laughter. "Do not worry… just be you and be happy. If you're happy waiting for the right time. Do so. If you're not… well, Daisuke-kun is at his house. And if you're confused, be confused."
"Okay," Hikari gave an ever so soft smile. Like something was relit in her heart. She was reminded when she realized how much she loved Daisuke. Like finding a lit candle in the middle of the darkest void. The candle was never meant to give her light in the darkness, but to guide others to her. And she wants to guide Daisuke or find him holding a candle too. Like both their fires attract.
And she couldn't help to compare it to how different it was with Takeru. With Takeru, it felt like she was waiting for the trigger to be pushed. For the explosion of what she thought was love to go off and start something, people would call magical. But with Daisuke, it was like searching for the fire that she needs. The warmth that would make her shiver once before making her ever so comfortable. The fire she needed, but never looked for because having a constant light by your side was much easier. She was cold with Takeru, that didn't mean she was miserable with him, but something was missing.
But Daisuke was the fire she had always needed. And the warmth he gave that day he rescued her from the camping trip was all she needed to know that one day she was to share a kiss with him. To love him. Youth might be inexperienced, but at the same, it means early experience. She might not know love but doesn't mean she shouldn't embrace it. And she was confident that Daisuke would not do her wrong if they did become a couple. A hero with an overconfident attitude, but not mean. He told jokes, but the jokes could only insult the frailest of hearts.
His "you" tirade towards Takeru was disrespectful in the outside but realizing he was doing it out of jealousy, he was cute for it. He never once struck a friend. Never once went behind anyone's back. He just smiled a lot. And even Hikari could compare him to Takeru. Even if Takeru was 'better' in other and maybe her own eyes. That didn't mean anything because Daisuke was still amazing. He's just a fire being compared to what others call an angel. But Hikari was cold and didn't need an angel, she needed a fire.
And even if Takeru may or may not break up with Annia. It didn't matter anymore to Hikari. Because she is set on one day dating Daisuke and one day being his fire or light or even angel. Because she doesn't know what Daisuke needs, but she is willing to find out.
That is the mistake she made with Takeru. She always thought he needed her, hell everyone thought he needed her, but Takeru needed an Annia in his life.
"Earth to Hikari-chan," Miyako snapped immediately breaking the train of thought Hikari had. "Come on silly, we need to go buy these clothes and get home. We're taking the train home and I really don't feel like walking in the dark…" she grabbed Hikari's hand and they both exit the fitting room area. Walking into shelves of clothes.
There was something Hikari spotted, a small pink bandana. Her hand, as if like a magnet, grabbed the pink bandana as Hikari added them to the clothes she would wear for her birthday. Smiling at it as her mind thought about Daisuke once.
Daisuke hummed when thinking about what he should write in the note to Hikari's birthday present. "Come on… you can think of something," he said to himself before grabbing the empty note and writing, 'Well wishes on your birthday, Hikari. From, Daisuke'. He leaned back when finishing the note, "should I say lo—?"
His cell immediately rang and he reached for it to see Yamato's name pop up. He raised a brow before answering the phone. "Aren't you supposed to be at a concert with Jun-chan?"
"I just got off of it…" Daisuke could clearly hear a ruckus of fangirls in the background. "No, I'm here to ask you something…"
Daisuke smiled, "what? Did Jun-chan get wasted and you might not make it back."
"No, we're in the limo now," the background noise muffled, "but Jun-chan is drunk, but that's not the point. Since I went on a mini-tour, I was wondering if you want to come to get a present for Hikari-chan?"
"You're asking me… ME… to help you get a present for Hikari-hime? You know my reputation with presents right?" Daisuke said glancing over at his red-wrapped present with a note on top of it.
"Not like that. It's just a way to hang out since I haven't seen you guys. I already asked the boys so we could hang out before I go on tour after the party…"
"Even Jyou agreed?"
"Even Jyou!" Jun said in a laughing manner as her voice echoed.
Daisuke looked to the side and suddenly his face lowered, "I'm happy you asked, but I'm gonna be busy studying. I need to finish my homework… I have tons of it," he sighed without letting a sound out, "I'm sorry," he whispered.
"No, it's okay, I just wanted to ask you. If you're still interested, just show up at Takeru's apartment at about 9 in the morning tomorrow. Bye."
"See you…" Daisuke whispered sadly as the phone was hung up on Yamato's end. Daisuke put the phone on top of the present as he got up and looked over at the finished homework on his desk. "Damn it…"
He was about to toss his phone before it rang, and he saw the caller id was Hikari Yagami. He immediately answered it and put it against his ear, "Hello?"
"Oh! You're done with your homework?"
Daisuke chuckled, "you could have texted me to find out?" He walked over and laid on his bed.
"I accidentally called, and I thought… well… you know… why not?"
He could almost feel her shrug at that response, "I been done for a while. I have just been—." He paused to look at her present before smirking, "I been waiting for someone to call me."
Hikari stayed silent, "so I guess that was me…"
Daisuke let out a small chuckle, "no, I was waiting for BelialVamdemon, but you're much better," he turned to his stomach and stared at the pillow. "So, what's up Hikari-hime?" Silence, "h-hello?"
"I…" and once again silence. When Daisuke opened his mouth, she finally spoke, "I just felt like texting you. You know… just talking about anything… school… something…"
Daisuke turned to the side, "well if you want to know about the school. I aced my literature test last week."
"You told me that silly. Heck, I was there… remember…?"
"Oh yeah," Daisuke leaned his head back and chuckled, "I was feeling under the weather and you went all the way to pick up my grade. Now I remember," he rose his head up, "you got so happy you spoiled my perfect marks before I even saw them."
"I was happy for you," Hikari's voice softened and its soothed Daisuke. "But curious… if you're telling me you aced your literature test… how did you find out?"
"I found it laying around. I was doing my spring cleaning and there was the test grade on the floor. Since I forgot that day, I simply thought that I had it, but never opened it. I needed to show it off to someone, but since Takeru-kun makes out with Annia-chan all the time and the others are much smarter… I was gonna wait to show it off to you."
"Unless you forgot…"
Daisuke turned to lay on his back once again, "hey, I don't forget a lot. I remember the important stuff—."
"Like Miyako's—."
"You can't keep bringing that up," Daisuke stood up and laughed a bit. "We promised each other that we would never speak about the iron bell incident!"
Hikari giggled, "it's funny to remind you." A pause, "congratulations on your grade I already knew about. You have gotten far since you started to study." Daisuke looked up the ceiling, "why did you start studying this much again and quit soccer club…?"
"The girl I used to like started dating and I needed—," Daisuke said casually but caught his words. He went red, "no, Hikari-hime!" Silence on her end. "That was like two years ago now and I'm over this girl!" Why am I explaining myself?
"Dai-kun…" her voice calmly said but had a hint of seriousness. "It's alright," and back to casual. "So…" and he knew what was coming, "that's what happened with this mystery girl."
God damn it Daisuke! Why did you have to let that slip? If I'm lucky, she won't put the pieces together and guess Miyako-chan was the girl…
"Y-yeah," he replied. His heart beginning to beat fast as he tried to anticipate her next words.
"Who was she? Did I know her?" As if she was pretending to pay attention to something else and not care, but her tone of voice still gave it out.
"Hikari-hime… I haven't even thought about this girl. It was a phase as some would say. Look, now I'm studying hard and moving on to better things!" Why am I explaining myself? It's Hikari-hime… she would understand.
"You're consistent… letting others influence your actions. It's a shame your good friends couldn't make you start studying, but some girl could," and venom showed like a thick fog blinding the world. Her voice lights a gentle rumble of lightning.
"Don't be that way," Daisuke softened his voice, wishing he didn't make Hikari jealous. Wait… why does it matter…? "How about I'll make it up to you. The day after your birthday party… I'll go to Tokyo's New Megapolis Shopping Center with you." Silence, only the sound of slight static from the phone's imperfect connection. "Hikari-hime?"
"I would l-like that?"
"Hm?" Daisuke heard her voice squeak. "What's wrong? Did you fall?"
"I almost slipped," she heavily breathed out, as if trying to catch her breath from something. Daisuke tilted his head in confusion. "Make sure you don't forget… the… the d… the date after my birthday! The day after my birthday!" She screamed as Daisuke flinched the phone away. "We got to Tokyo's new shopping center…" she spoke quickly and softly.
"God, you're cute," he said and he stunned himself. He stopped as his eyes opened wide as Hikari gasped in the other side. "You a-act cute. That's what I mean…" he went red knowing he made it worse. "How has your school been?"
"G-good!" Hikari and Daisuke were both so shy that they canceled their nervousness out. They were oblivious to the other's voice. "I…" she audibly gulped, "it's getting late. I hope to see you on my birthday early."
"Y-yeah," both their voice calmed. As if in sync with each other's heart. Then the slight pain came in Daisuke's chest when he realized how much he didn't want to hang up. But he knew it was getting late, but truth be told. He could spend hours in a call with Hikari talking about anything. They both could talk about how much they love the sky and he wouldn't get bored.
He just didn't know that she felt the exact same.
"Good night, sweet dreams," her voice, his head said as the line cut and Daisuke has left once again with a hung-up phone. He put the phone down to the side and looked at the ceiling. "Going shopping?" Daisuke whispered as he kept looking up at the ceiling. "With friends…" and he grit his teeth.
His eyes closed, and he grabbed his phone. He opened his eyes and quickly put an alarm on his phone. And put you're gonna hang out with Yamato-kun! As he placed the alarm at six, so he could properly get ready.
He reached over and charged his phone for the night. Got up and turned off his room's light. Jumping to his bed only to get a light bounce. He buried his head onto the pillow and his eyes brushed closed. "One sheep…" he whispered "two… three… four…"
And the counting went to his unconscious. Ten… eleven… Yamato-kun… Hikari-hime… fourteen… fifteen… Hikari-hime's birthday… seventeen… eighteen…
The counting turned to a quick transition into his sleep. His body going through reality before hitting his dream state. As if crossing one plane of existence into another. There he was. His dreams. As reality bend and his subconscious imagination flourished.
The setting was that of an empty street. A street so common that it could any street. The skies colored with pink and orange. Sunset. Daisuke looked up to see the stars but found only the cloudy sky. He looked over and like a flashback coming to reality. He saw his days as leader of the Digidestined standing and smiling. But Daisuke could not communicate nor interact with his younger self.
His younger self with a slightly distorted voice, but sounds like his current said, "idiot…" and with a gentle smile. The whole world went dark and the current dream vanished into a void of darkness. Daisuke falling as he looked back and saw a familiar shape. Small with two large ears as that being almost brought memories back. A little girl holding a creature also appeared. Finally, an older girl wearing round familiar glasses appeared.
"No," Daisuke could scream in his dream, but it was just echoing as the pain in his chest flourished. But before those memories, he had deep away could turn into a nightmare. The world came back, and he found himself sitting a slow-moving classroom for a second. Sitting and confused before Hikari manifested in front of him. Giving him a gentle smile.
But this was his dream. His dreams have become strange, but something he hasn't even admitted to Ken or his own sister is that the dreams have a theme. Hikari.
But as she smiled in his dream Daisuke's sleeping body, he smiled faintly. Hard to notice, but it was there, and he felt warm. But like many dreams, he would soon forget it and only remember the warm feeling it gave him, making him desire it to be vivid next time and to reoccur.
Hikari grabbed onto her pillow and she twirled around wishing her conversation with Daisuke could reoccur.
What Daisuke did not know is that Miyako slept over and heard the whole thing. "Daisuke-kun asked you on a date…"
Hikari stopped and put her pillow against her face. Pushing it slightly as she said muffled by the pillow, "Dai-kun asked me on a date…"
"And he probably doesn't realize it," Sora said. Oh yeah, Sora was sleeping over too. Hikari hit the pillow on her face after that comment.
"Could have been a perfect moment to confess to him…" Mimi said. Right, all the girls were here. And Hikari hit the pillow again by that comment.
"Hikari-chan?" Annia spoke, concerned. All the girls were having a sleepover at Hikari. The only one missing was Jun which is currently for the better.
Sora cupped her left cheek, "oh, he's as dense as Taichi-kun." Taichi sleeping in the other room sneezed. He's a big sleeper so they know the conversation would never be heard by him. "Hikari-chan have faith…"
Hikari still buried her head into her pillow, "I just had to get jealous for that… girl…" venom in her voice again. "… he liked and now I'm gonna have my first date with Dai-kun…"
"You could always cancel," Annia suggested and all the Chosen Child girls gasped. "W-what?"
"Cancel with someone you love… Annia-chan… with all due respect, but you don't cancel plans with someone only on four conditions. Tragedy, accidents, school, or bad hair day!" Mimi said standing up as Sora and Miyako nodded proudly. Hikari still with the pillow on her head. "Hikari-chan will never have a bad hair day and we hope the other things won't happen to her. She has to go in order to grow closer with her significant other…"
"What if he says cancel?"
And the girls gasped this time, but instead, all went over to Hikari. Miyako covering Hikari's ears and holding Hikari close. With the pillow off, Hikari's dramatic teary eyes could be seen. Sora and Mimi holding the Chosen Child of light to the side. "That's taboo to even think about Annia-chan!" Sora now spoke. "If a boy cancels plans after making them… it means he's not—." She turned to Miyako and Mimi who doubled on covering Hikari's ears. "It means he's not interested."
"What, but…?"
"Hey!" Hikari cut everyone off as she got up and stood on her bed. "I'm not worried about canceling. I just didn't know he was gonna ask me out on a date. It may not have any romantic ramifications, but… I haven't been on a date."
It took seconds for the other four girls to process what Hikari said. Their eyes widened when it did as Mimi gasped, "oh my god, she hasn't been on a date."
"Oh my god, you have never been on a date!" Miyako knelt over and cupped Hikari's hands together.
"T-Thank you…" Hikari blinked.
Miyako shook her head, "no, I meant this is great. You have never been on a date. That means we can help you have a good date."
"H-hey…"
Mimi hopped, "what to wear!? Oh my god, what could you wear?"
"Hey!" Hikari once again silenced the whole group of girls. "Hang on a minute…" she was back to her serious self. "It's not a romantic date, but I am aware he doesn't realize what he has done. Still…" slight silence. "There is a part of me that sees this as an opportunity to get closer to Dai-kun than ever before…" she rose her hand up when the other girls gasped. "So, let's all stay calm and figure out how I can make Dai-kun like me more on this non-date date!"
"Oh!" Mimi clapped her hands together and her eyes glowed. "The new mall is said to have escalators that are not that wide."
The girl blinked as they looked at each other before Hikari's eyes widened. The girls' eyes widened right after, "perfect opportunity to be close to him physically!" All five girls said in excitement.
A knock arrived on the door as the girls flinched. They all turned to the door as it slowly nodded. "Seems you girls are having fun, I made cupcakes!" Yuuko danced in with cupcakes that she obviously bought from the store.
The girl gazed without a sound, "thank mom," Hikari responded in order to break the tension.
The mother walked over and put the plate of cupcakes down around the girls. Yuuko snickered, "I heard you talking about getting close with a boy physically." She smirked and Hikari went red immediately. Before she could explain herself, Yuuko laughed, "it's okay. I know you're not reckless for anything like that. You're just trying to get close to a boy you like." She got up as Hikari calmed with a slight sigh. "Takeru-kun is a nice enough boy for you to get physically close with."
And like that Hikari's eyes widened. Miyako gasped to the point where her soul escaped her boy. Sora silently gasped as she turned Annia. Mimi could only stare blankly.
Hikari turned to Annia who had a frozen gaze. Hikari then turned to her mother, shaking her head as Yuuko continued obviously. "Oh, he's such a nice boy. He's basically a proper version of his older brother. His mother is so nice too." Hikari and Miyako both heard what she was going to say, "Do you plan on con—."
"M-m-m-m-mom!" Hikari interrupted her mother as the Chosen Child of Light got up and pointed to Annia who was blushing. "This is Annia-chan, she's Takeru's girlfriend."
Yuuko nodded before looking at Annia who stared in confusion. Yuuko laughed very loudly, "I am just joking. I did the exact same thing for Sora-chan here when she started dating—." Yuuko stopped and stared blankly.
"Your son…" Hikari said.
"Taichi-kun! Yes! I made a joke that…" then she looked at Hikari who just stared in utter confusion. "Moving on! I did the same for Miyako-chan!" I made a small joke for "Shen…!"
"Ken."
"Ken!" Yuuko then bowed, "well I have to go and please enjoy the cupcakes. Hikari-chan, sorry for disturbing you," Yuuko was red. And the girls were getting second-hand embarrassment as Yuuko turned and was heading to the door. She stopped as she looked back, "Daisuke-kun…?"
"Don't tell Taichi-kun…" is all Hikari said. Yuuko smiled lightly and gave a nod before walking out of the door.
Miyako leaned over to Hikari, "I thought you told her that Takeru-kun got with Annia-chan?"
"I did…" Hikari whispered back as both the girls stared annoyed at the door.
"B-back to the date with Daisuke-kun," Annia, both nervous and loudly, said to break the ice created by Yuuko.
"Right," and Mimi helped with her hip up attitude. "Yes, you have to go to many stores as possible with those small escalators. At first, it may be awkward, but you never know… at the end of the night, he may have his arm around your shoulder…"
"Non-date," Sora reminded as Mimi nervously smiled and scratched the back of her neck. "But she is right. Maybe the escalators are the best way to tell if he does like you. Taichi-chan may not be Daisuke-kun, but from my experience from both Yamato-kun and your brother… boys tend to physically interact with a girl they like when the opportunity is right…"
"You're probably right," Hikari took a mental note, "right I'm gonna try to take the small escalators as much as possible!"
"Good! Now, we need you two to get close on a personal level." Sora said as the rest of the girls just looked, Hikari's cheeks going a bit pink. "I mean talking with him."
"Oh!" All girls said in unison with Mimi leading off, "that's what you meant…"
"And the perfect most efficient way you can accomplish this is when you and Daisuke-kun are eating at the food court. Because you might not be able to relate with Daisuke-kun in anything else since clothes are not his thing and he doesn't wear female clothes. So when you eat, so that as a moment to talk to him. Talk about yourself and let him talk about himself."
"But… But I got to know him a lot since I started liking him…"
"Right!" Sora raised a finger and got closer to Hikari, "but this is a moment where you can learn more. The point is that boys tend to more things to their significant other than even their own family. So you're gonna need to break that boundary."
"Boundary…?" Hikari looked down, "I mean… what if he has nothing to hide."
"Who is the girl he began liking after you during elementary?"
"I get it!" Hikari raised her voice enough to make her statement. She closed her eyes shut but opened them looking down. "Alright, break Dai-kun's shell."
"Make sure you don't make the shopping awkward for him," Miyako said as she got closer to Hikari as Sora did before. "When you shop for clothes… don't try to go for curious and sexy as it may throw him or find you as easy. Instead, buy clothes that will make him curious about how you would look. Avoid bras and panties area as much as possible too…"
"Experience with Ken-kun?" Annia questioned.
Miyako looked back and gave a nod, "you should have seen how red he was. Especially when we got to the bra sizes that I couldn't fit… speaking of clothes…" Miyako smirked as she looked at Hikari, "what are you going to wear?"
Hikari put her hand on her chin, "I need something that isn't so open as you said… I don't want to look easy but looking plain may not invite him to…" she blushed and turned away, "getting close."
Annia hummed which got all the girl's attention. Aware that when she hums, she just came up with an idea. "I got just the outfit for you," Annia got up and walked over to her bag pack. This isn't the main present I got you, but this was something I had once. It just never fit me… not like size, but style. But with you… I think with the right combination you can…" she pulled out the clothes, "make this work."
A red sweat was the first thing she saw, but the way it looked, Hikari could tell that her shoulders would both be exposed. "Now," Annia then put the sweater down and pulled out a black tank top and a black skirt. "Red and black may be… dark colors, but they sure mix well with you Hikari. A blond girl like me can never make red work," she snickered as she handed the clothes to Hikari.
"But… this skirt…" Hikari pulled it up and saw that it might not be short, but shorter than what she was used to.
"I get it!" Mimi hammered down on her palm as she went to her bag and pulled out leggings. "Here you go, so you don't have to worry about your skirt revealing too much skin. Oh!" Then Mimi giggled before stopping herself. "The present I got for you, it's perfect when it goes with this outfit"
"Thanks, but… do you think this will go with me?" Hikari stared at the clothes already presented to her.
"You're right," Miyako finally got up and said, "Hikari-chan, it's been years since you wore long gloves. I think it's time those came back, but with a black color."
"Long gloves I used to wear, but the only ones I have were pink and they are gone…"
Sora then coughed, "well I guess I have to go shopping first thing tomorrow."
"Shoes…?" At this point, Hikari was trying to find a way for the girls not to turn her into a fashion experiment.
"I got that covered," Sora herself snorted with pride. "Don't you worry Hikari-chan. We have the clothes part for you. We just need to figure out your hair…"
"My hair," Hikari moved back against the wall and touched her shoulder-length hair. "What about my hair…"
"We need to make it look fancy. See for your birthday we are going to make you look like 'the birthday girl…' but for your date… we need something that screams beautiful, but casual." Mimi crossed her arms, "so how about this, I'll help you both mornings with your hair…"
"That's really not necessary… I think my hair is just fine."
Annia nodded, "yes, she will look beautiful with the clothes given to her as it is."
Miyako closed her eyes and she nodded herself, "I fully agree… I've gone on dates with just a change of clothes and looked like a million bucks."
Mimi raised a brow as Sora stood up with Mimi and turned away. Sora spoke, "you're right… you're completely and utterly right. Boys will never care about hair… I mean it's better to look as friends than girlfriends…" the three younger girls flinched at this comment. "Casual…" a flinch. "Meaningless…" a flinch. "Friends…" a wince as if they were struck. "Boys don't want their dates to look good, they just want friendly—." Sora looked over and saw the three younger girls scrolling through a hair magazine as Mimi giggled in the side.
"I am not just Ken-kun's friend."
"I am not meaningless to Takeru-kun!"
"I refuse to be casual to the boy I love!" Hikari then turned the page and the three younger girls' eyes widened as they gasped in amazement. The two older girls looked over and smirked.
"That looks perfect," Sora said both in pride and joy.
Miyako folded the page and closed it, "we are gonna save this for Hikari's date… and… others…" Miyako and Annia both looked determined. Before Miyako noticed, "what is missing?"
"Makeup…?"
"Maybe lip gloss, but that's about it. Hikari-chan is more natural beauty. Let her be," Sora pat Hikari's head.
"Give him a kiss at the end of the date," Annia suggested as all the girls looked at her surprised. "L-let me explain. When Takeru-kun and I met… we both spend time in the computer club. And you see one day he did the usual as he always does. But after the day ended and we both headed home. I kissed him in the cheek thanking him for helping me. You see… that's how I think it led him on and he would confess to me later."
"You kiss him on the lips!" Miyako and Mimi both said shocking every other girl.
"No!" Hikari said.
"N-no," Annia shook her hands, "see… even if Takeru-kun and Daisuke-kun are different. They both would get a bigger hint if you kiss them in the cheek. I did it because I didn't know if Takeru liked me completely but was willing to try. Daisuke-kun is the same with you right…?" Hikari nodded as Annia smiled, "so I have faith that if you kiss him in the cheek. It will urge him to reveal his feelings. Even if he doesn't like you…" Hikari's face dropped, "which he does, but being hypothetical, it can create something."
Hikari gazed at Annia before turning her head to the side. Her shoulder rising and her smile turning nervous as she went red. "It would be nice to kiss him in the cheek…"
"You were going to kiss him in the shore of the camping trip if Iori-kun didn't show up," Mimi teased.
Hikari went completely red and turned away, "I know… I know…" she moved her hands, I just wish I remembered and actually kissed him… but at that time I didn't like him so…
"Okay," Hikari said sternly as she hit her knees. "This non-date is ready on my end and I have full faith that nothing will make Dai-kun cancel. I think we are all aware of that… but let's go out there and say… this isn't a non-date to Dai-kun and this is his way of confessing to me."
"Oh, then you sleep with him," Mimi said.
Sora froze. Miyako's glasses fell off. Annia went white as her glasses titled slightly.
Hikari blinked once, "Dai-kun… sleeping with me…" and her face went red.
"Mimi!" Sora grabbed Mimi's shoulder. Then began pushing her back and forth.
Yuuko walked in with her face red as Hikari could only waver with a heavy blush. As is the embarrassment stunned her in place and she was trying to break away. Her mind was mush at the thought of what Mimi suggested.
Yuuko walked to her daughter and said, "now honey, boys aren't supposed to suggest such a thing if the relationship has been established. You can say 'no' and I think you're supposed to say 'no'. So don't be sad to say 'no'. Look boys and girls love each other, but there are boundaries… did you know your father and I were just friends once and—."
Yuuko continued, but the scene was set as chaotic. Hikari too nervous to even move, Yuuko lecturing her on the birds and the bees. Miyako trying to stop Sora from shaking Mimi who became dizzy. And Annia who was innocent enough to be slightly broken. All this caused because Mimi suggested the idea of Hikari to sleep with Daisuke. Of course, how it all started was not of any concern to Taichi Yagami who stood at the doorway, confused at the sight of the women and girls freaking out in his sister's room. His father peeking, both tired.
"Hey!" Taichi shut the quick mumbling as the girls returned to reality what they were doing. Hikari looked over her mom's shoulder as Yuuko turned her head around. Mimi looked over confused as Sora stopped shaking and Miyako finally let go of Sora. Annia snapped out of it and stared around in confusion. "What the hell is going on?"
Silence. Sora giggled, "sorry Taichi-kun, Mimi was going to tell Hikari what I got her for her birthday and I wanted her not to tell," Sora was completely nervous, but thankfully it was obvious Taichi and his father were too tired to tell it was a lie.
Taichi shrugged, "don't tell Mimi-chan… I'm going to bed." He turned and walked away from the sight of the girls before his door could be heard closing. Hikari's father shrugged and went off to his room.
Yuuko took a sigh of relief as she pat Hikari's head.
Mimi looked over at Sora, "so you're going to join Taichi-kun…?"
"You don't speak!" Sora snapped at Mimi quietly.
Daisuke has always wondered why Hikari is heavily present in his dream. He always wondered why she was smiling and standing as if waiting for him. Waiting for what? He asked himself to see that smile on her face. A smile that transcended time itself as it stayed the same.
This time she was smiling at him while standing on a beach. "You…" her voice spoke as it sounded distorted, but like hers. Gentle like hers. "You need to smile more…" she said. Daisuke only kept on seeing her smile.
"Smile more…"
An alarm went off as Daisuke's eyes opened wide. He blinked as he turned to his alarm clock that he set early in order to go shopping with the male Chosen Children. He immediately turned off his alarm.
He rubbed his head against his pillow before turning around standing up. He was about to touch his face before he stopped and said, "do I like Hikari-hime?" He asked as he took a moment to move before rubbing the edge of his eyes.
His arms fell to the side as he took a deep breath, "I love my dreams…" he groaned as he got up and took off the white shirt he slept with. Smacking his lips before stopping to see himself in the mirror. His hair messy and his still fit body was nothing to him, it was the look of his eyes. Something about it bothered him.
He shook his head and went over to his closet, opening the door. The first thing he pulled out was a blue shirt that he knew he could wear while looking casual and still good. He groaned when he got to the jeans as he picked out the loosest ones so he would be comfortable. Once having his two main clothes, he turned to his drawers and opened one. Pulling out a pair of socks and boxers.
He stopped when he was about to walk out of his room to take a shower. He took a moment to look at the pile of clothes he had on and asked, "do I want to go?" He shook his head before shrugging, dropping the clothes on the ground.
He turned around and laid on his bed. But before he could even rest, something vibrated. He looked over at his cell and he reached for it, stopping before he could grab it. It vibrated once more, and he willed himself to get the phone as he opened it to find Hikari send him two messages.
Without a second thought, he opened the messages. Both reading: Good morning Dai-kun. I don't mean to bother you, but my brother asked if you could bring a video game.
Daisuke blinked before responding, anything for you, I'll bring my GameCube.
He responded and was about to close his phone until its alarm went off. The message reading 'you're gonna hang out with Yamato-kun!' His eyes widened as he frowned. He closed his eyes shut and grit his teeth before he got up. "Right!" Determined.
The sun was out, but the air was chilly. Being March, it made sense.
That's what Daisuke thought as he stood in the shade of a fun. Looking down at the sidewalk by Takeru's apartment complex. He took out his phone and opened the messages he's been sending to Hikari since he woke up.
She just sent a new one, forgive me if I stop sending a message in a bit. Miyako-chan and Mimi-chan are about to do my hair…
Daisuke smirked, you're letting them do your hair? You're gonna be there for hours
Don't be silly. They have the style picked out and Sora-chan is here to help me in case they go too far – Hikari.
She better. I don't want your birthday spent on a chair with two girls touching your hair - Daisuke
It won't -Hikari.
Daisuke was about to respond until she asked, want me to give you a picture of it?
Daisuke typed 'Don't have to, I'm gonna see it in person anyways…', but stopped himself from sending it. He erased the message he was about to send, Yes, I would love that.
Okay -Hikari
Daisuke smiled before she sent another message, if it looks funny, you promise not to laugh.
I won't, Daisuke quickly responded back, chuckling before his laughter died down. He began to type, 'Hikari-hime…' he gulped, 'I think I have feelings for you.' He was about to hit send until he typed up some more. 'I have been dreaming about you.' His eyes softened, 'I think I'm in lo—'.
And before he could write out the rest, a car parked. Stopping Daisuke from finishing his message. He looked over and saw Yamato's van, but Daisuke quickly looked back at the message he never sent and deleted it. At the same time, Hikari finally responded back, I believe you.
And she sent another, Girls are starting to do the hairstyle. Text you when I'm done.
Daisuke responded I will wait.
And Koushiro stuck his head out with a smirk, "hey Daisuke-kun, gonna stare or going to get in the van?"
"S-sorry," Daisuke said as he walked over to the van. Hearing at the same time Takeru and Iori walking down. He opened the door and found Jyou and Taichi in the back. "Taichi-kun…?"
"You thought I wasn't going to come?" Taichi asked as if he was a famous person.
Daisuke's head thought about Hikari, "no, I just thought you would be driving shotgun."
"Brother's rights," Takeru pat Daisuke's shoulder. Daisuke flinched and looked back, smiling at his friend.
"Careful Takeru-kun, Jun-chan may get jealous of her placement in this van," both friends chuckled as Daisuke entered and went to the back. The first thing he did was stare out the window, thinking about what he was about to send. He stared outside as if he was contemplating in the rain, a scene made famous by media, but he was contemplating. For the first time, he was contemplating something like this in his life.
"We're gonna pick up Ken-kun?" Taichi asked and Daisuke decided to use the conversation happening in the van as his way to not think too much.
"Yeah, but since his house is on the way to the mall. I decided to pick everyone else up, still, quite a drive so get comfortable," Yamato said as he changed the car to drive.
"Anything is better than the hours we did during the camping trip," he said as everyone else laughed except for Daisuke who could barely smile. His eyes wandering down as the boys continued.
"Hey, try being in this when you're driving through the whole country. The good thing about it is that people don't think this van belongs to famous singer Yamato Ishida."
"Jun still has to drive…" Takeru pointed out to his brother.
"She drives out of the concert…" Yamato said a bit defensive, "but this is still my baby," Yamato said as he stopped in red light.
"I think this baby needs an inspection," Taichi said.
Daisuke found himself once again staring out the window. Seeing his reflection before focusing on the road. The conversation about the van slowly fading his own mind stepped in. The first thing that came to mind was Hikari, like an ocean, he could imagine her as clearly as he could. And that image became clear when he thought about the text. He still imagined her smile, as if that smile was on repeat in his head.
A smile that could break the shell he made in his heart two years ago. Something about her made him warm, but something about the fact that she made him warm made him angry. Not angry like an explosion setting off, but of disappointment. Disappointment that stung his heart worse than any bee could.
And the ocean of memories came crashing in and his ears deafened to those crashes. When he first met her, yes, that was the moment his heart began to feel warm. Like she lit a fire in his heart and only smoke of it came out. The smoke began to be a problem when Takeru was put in the picture, but he put out the fire at that point. Has the fire been relit? How? Daisuke wondered like a child wondering how lightning is made in the sky. An innocent curiosity that had no definite answer.
Everything else made sense to him and had an answer. Why he cried when V-mon left. Why he felt lonely without him. Why he quit soccer club. Why he studied more. All those things had an answer, yet this didn't. The fire he put out. The fire he thought back then would never be lit has been relit. Casting a bright light this time, one that could not be contained. A light so powerful that it felt warm.
And then he remembered her small comments. You have messy hair. Why did you cut your hair? I liked it before. Dummy, don't play with fire. I can't believe you. You tried to do what!? I wish you wouldn't scare me like that. All instances of his interaction with the Chosen Child of Light.
"Daisuke-san…" Hikari's younger self said.
"Daisuke-chan…" And she grew up.
"Daisuke-kun…" And she kept on growing up.
And then he imagined her now. With her soft smile and she looked to the side before turning to him. She looked around before leaning closer, "Dai-kun?"
"Daisuke-kun!" And a voice brought him back to reality. He simply flinched and looked over at the other boys. All were looking back at him except for Yamato who kept on driving.
"You blanked out…? Is everything okay?" Jyou was the first to ask.
"Yeah, I'm just a bit tired… I finish my homework late last night," he took a glance at Yamato before looking to the side, "I was just—."
"It looked like you were thinking about something, I think you even smiled," Taichi mentioned which surprised Daisuke, but he was still. Taichi smirked and leaned closer, "where you are thinking about a girl?"
Daisuke gazed for a split second, "no…"
"What were you thinking about?"
Daisuke's mouth went flat. Hikari popped in his mind like before then a quick memory flashed of the time, they were younger, and she rejected him. "It's bright outside…"
And the boys slowly devolved to laughing, "maybe Jyou should check on you," Koushiro was to say as Daisuke could only nervous laugh. He squeezed his leg so tightly that he turned that nervous smile into a real one, even if it was fake.
Something now felt off. He didn't realize it until now. But for some reason, he uncomfortable.
His eyes wandered down, but he still held up his fake smile. As he saw his arms clenching and shaking. His fake smile died, and his mouth went flat. At the same time, his eyes closed gently before he opened them.
Looking at the boys all laughing and conversing. This time their conversation went deaf as he didn't care about it at all.
Something felt off. Out of place…
Do I…
"Hey, Daisuke-kun," he put on a fake smile again and looked up at Taichi. Taichi spoke, "what did you get Hikari-chan for her birthday?"
"Another bear?" Takeru commented in the front as there was a small chuckle.
Everything felt slower at a miserable pace for Daisuke now. He kept his fake smile and shrugged, "It's a secret," and mustered all the strength to shrug and give a wink. Something his body did not want to do, but he forced himself to do.
"Secret?" Takeru asked. Daisuke didn't want to continue talking, he didn't want to talk. "Ugh, now you're being like how Koushiro is with the Sun and Moon thing…"
"I'm not being secretive," and for some reason, Daisuke was horribly thankful the focus went to Koushiro. He urged himself to listen to Koushiro, but there was a part of him that wanted to just zone out. "the finding of it is not that important…" Daisuke bit his tongue to pay attention to Koushiro. "Look…" but Daisuke did not want to for some reason.
He took a moment to look down at his knees. Paying attention, the texture of the carpet of the car. His left arm shook and the bite on his tongue became unbearable. He grabbed his phone and opened it slowly only to see the messages he sent to Hikari. He clicked on her profile picture and found a small photo of him and Hikari during his fourteenth birthday. Both just singing and smiling while raising their hands up.
His body softened, and he smiled. And he looked forward where Koushiro was now monologuing. "You see. The sun may represent the gift of life while the moon represents the gift of power. From my studies, it is shown that one who poses the sun will—."
"I know you mean well with your college lecture Koushiro-kun," Taichi pat him in the shoulder, "but I would like to note that we are all here to shop and hang out. Not trying to understand what you're talking about with the moon and sun."
Iori added, "I understand," which got a chuckle from Takeru, Yamato, and Jyou.
"Still… look I know you been busy with Gennai and that's good, but how about you chill out and get yourself a girlfriend…" Taichi put his arm around his intelligent best friend. "How about Mimi?" He blurted out, "she seems like a keeper."
"I don't like Mimi-chan like that anymore…"
"Don't mess with him about that Taichi-kun," Yamato said, but obviously paused to add a punch line. "mess with Jyou-kun, he's older and hasn't found one yet."
The whole group laughed as Daisuke chuckled lightly, very lightly. Until Jyou said, "I'm dating someone…"
Daisuke looked up as everyone stayed silent, even Yamato had to abruptly stop before starting to drive once again. They were all silent and except for the driver, everyone was looking at Jyou.
"You have a what…?" Taichi was the first to speak.
And as Jyou was about to speak, Koushiro spoke, "who? When? How? Why?"
"I met her when I was signing up for some community services—."
"Her name?" Taichi said leaning close to Jyou who blinked at him.
"I think it's best if I wait to introduce you to her. I'll do it when I actually get close to her and she actually becomes someone I care about…" he said seriously, but Taichi still stared in shock.
"I have to tell Sora-chan," Taichi pulled up his phone and even Yamato reached his hand back to stop Taichi while driving.
Jyou sighed, "it's not like I never had a girlfriend before. I am into this girl, but she's not like what Jun is to Yamato…"
"A fangirl?" Taichi said and got a glare from Yamato as he mouthed an apology.
Jyou groaned and then turned to Taichi, "why is it shocking that I have a significant other… did you think I was gonna stay single until I'm past my prime?" He asked and Taichi stared before the whole car except for Daisuke nodded. "Really?"
"It's like what happened with Takeru-kun…" Koushiro spoke softly, "It's just dating someone that we don't know for a while now… well, we feel left out and we have so many questions—."
Daisuke zoned out as he thought about Hikari while looking outside the window once again. The whole car becoming deaf to him once again. He thought about how she would look after her hair modeling. Even looking at his phone hoping that she would message him, but not that much time has passed. Maybe I should have gone immediately to her house… then he thought about the other girls being there and how they would assume that he has romantic intention. Then he thought about how Taichi would react.
He assumed everyone freaking out, but he also realized that some were mature. Even if they all were shocked about Jyou getting a girlfriend just now. It was of the shock Takeru got, that he had a girlfriend for a while without saying a word.
Daisuke looked up and saw all his friends laughing and smiling at Jyou. All were fooling around made some jokes about his relationship. Though, Daisuke, of course, did not pay too much attention. Instead, he stood and watched them with a normal face until a sad smile came over his lips. His eyes softened as he found himself looking down on his phone. Waiting to text Hikari once again.
A slight wince came when he just heard their laughter. Their laughter that he was missing from.
"You should smile more…" her voice spoke as he tried to smile faintly, but just couldn't. Fake smiles, he was never good at those.
What's wrong with you? Daisuke asked himself and he was temporarily distracted by a text from Ken Ichijouji. He stopped and saw the message, Hey? You're coming to hang out with Yamato-kun?
Daisuke was about to respond until he saw the picture he placed under Ken's contact. A picture of him smiling wide as Miyako made a funny face. He sighed before responding to the text, Yeah man, speaking of which… we are on our way to you.
Yeah, Ken responded with and with that, Daisuke found himself staring at his phone. Just staring at his phone before looking up at the ceiling of the car.
He turned back to his phone and opened the messages with Hikari. Reading them over before he forcefully closed the phone when he realized how he was feeling. He opened his phone and saw his home screen picture: V-mon and him both smiling during the winter.
He looked to the side for a while. Only paying attention to some stores here and there that could signal him that they were about to arrive at Ken's house. None of them spoke to him, but maybe it was causing some of them were just going to wait for Ken and then the boy's day out could begin.
Not that Daisuke was interested in it.
He looked on, wondering what he will do when arriving at the mall. Sit around and wait for Yamato. Maybe the arcade, no, he didn't feel like doing that. Maybe he would go with Yamato and mess around with the things he could or could not buy, no, he didn't feel like doing that either. Even the thought of sitting around made him feel uneasy and uncomfortable. But why now? He asked.
He looked and saw a familiar store that indicated that they were close to Ken's family apartment. Taking a deep breath, he looked forward with a plain expression. His eyes becoming tired of just staring at everyone talking amongst themselves. He tried to say something, but they were too deep into their conversation that he felt it would be unnecessary to get involved.
The car was about to park and he groaned to himself, looking to the side uncomfortable. But before he could close his eyes shut, he felt his phone vibrate. He looked at it and saw Hikari sent him something. He gulped lightly before moving his hand over and opening the message. A light gasp released from his lips. His shoulders fell, and a soft smile came from his face. He leaned to the side slightly and gazed at her. A photo of Hikari with her hair the same length, but the ends being curled, enough to be a different hairstyle altogether.
How do I look? -Hikari
Gorgeous as always – Daisuke.